hardMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped
XK0-006 Practice Question: An administrator is configuring a server to act…
An administrator is configuring a server to act as a router and needs to enable IP forwarding persistently across reboots. Which file should be modified?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse the runtime procfs file (/proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_forward) with a persistent configuration file, leading them to choose D, which only changes the value temporarily until the next reboot.
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
✓
/etc/sysctl.conf
/etc/sysctl.conf is the system-wide configuration file for kernel parameters managed by sysctl. Setting net.ipv4.ip_forward = 1 in this file ensures IP forwarding is enabled persistently across reboots, as sysctl applies these settings during boot.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
/etc/network/interfaces
Why it's wrong here
This is for network interface configuration on Debian, not kernel parameters.
- ✓
/etc/sysctl.conf
Why this is correct
Adding net.ipv4.ip_forward=1 here makes it persistent.
- ✗
/etc/rc.local
Why it's wrong here
Legacy method; sysctl is preferred.
- ✗
/proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_forward
Why it's wrong here
Changing this file directly is temporary.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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