XK0-006 Troubleshooting Practice Question
A Linux administrator needs to check the listening TCP ports on a server. Which command should be used to view only listening TCP ports and the associated processes?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates choose `netstat -tlnp` (option C) because it is a familiar legacy command, but the exam expects knowledge of the modern `ss` utility, which is the recommended tool on current Linux distributions and is more likely to be available by default.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
ss -tlnp
The `ss -tlnp` command displays only TCP sockets (`-t`), listening sockets (`-l`), numeric addresses/ports (`-n`), and the associated process information (`-p`). This is the modern replacement for `netstat` and is the most direct way to view listening TCP ports and their processes on a Linux system.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
lsof -iTCP -sTCP:LISTEN
Why it's wrong here
Lsof can show listening ports but the question asks for the ss command specifically.
- ✗
nmap -sT localhost
Why it's wrong here
Nmap is a scanner, not the standard tool for local listening ports.
- ✗
netstat -tlnp
Why it's wrong here
Netstat is deprecated; ss is the modern replacement.
- ✓
ss -tlnp
Why this is correct
Correctly shows listening TCP ports with process info.
Go deeper
Related to this question
Learn chapter
Linux Fundamentals and History
Key term
Process
In IT service management, a process is a structured set of activities designed to accomplish a specific objective, such as managing incidents or changes, by transforming inputs into defined outputs.
Key term
Linux
Linux is an open-source operating system that manages computer hardware and software, widely used in servers, desktops, and embedded systems.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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