- A
systemctl status firewalld
Why wrong: This command shows the status of the firewalld service (running or not), not the firewall rules themselves. It does not list any rules.
- B
iptables -S
Why wrong: This command lists rules in the legacy iptables table. However, firewalld uses nftables as its backend, and iptables rules may not reflect the current firewalld configuration. It bypasses firewalld's zone abstraction.
- C
iptables -L
Why wrong: Similar to iptables -S, this command lists iptables rules but does not query firewalld's native configuration. It may show rules that are not managed by firewalld.
- D
firewall-cmd --list-all-zones
Correct. This command displays the firewall rules for all zones configured in firewalld, including services, ports, and rules per zone.
- E
firewall-cmd --list-all
Correct. This command lists the rules for the default zone, providing a concise view of the active firewalld configuration.
LFCS Networking Practice Question
This LFCS practice question tests your understanding of networking. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
A system administrator needs to check the firewall rules on a Linux server using firewalld. Which two commands can be used to list the current rules? (Choose two.)
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
firewall-cmd --list-all-zones
Option D is correct because `firewall-cmd --list-all-zones` displays the firewall rules for all zones configured in firewalld, showing services, ports, and rules per zone. Option E is correct because `firewall-cmd --list-all` lists the rules for the default zone, providing a concise view of active firewall configuration. Both commands are native to firewalld and directly query its runtime and permanent rules via D-Bus.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
systemctl status firewalld
Why it's wrong here
This command shows the status of the firewalld service (running or not), not the firewall rules themselves. It does not list any rules.
- ✗
iptables -S
Why it's wrong here
This command lists rules in the legacy iptables table. However, firewalld uses nftables as its backend, and iptables rules may not reflect the current firewalld configuration. It bypasses firewalld's zone abstraction.
- ✗
iptables -L
Why it's wrong here
Similar to iptables -S, this command lists iptables rules but does not query firewalld's native configuration. It may show rules that are not managed by firewalld.
- ✓
firewall-cmd --list-all-zones
Why this is correct
Correct. This command displays the firewall rules for all zones configured in firewalld, including services, ports, and rules per zone.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✓
firewall-cmd --list-all
Why this is correct
Correct. This command lists the rules for the default zone, providing a concise view of the active firewalld configuration.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates confuse legacy iptables commands with firewalld's native tools, assuming `iptables -L` or `-S` are equivalent to listing firewalld rules, when in fact they bypass firewalld's zone abstraction and may not reflect the current dynamic configuration.
Trap categories for this question
Similar concept trap
Similar to iptables -S, this command lists iptables rules but does not query firewalld's native configuration. It may show rules that are not managed by firewalld.
Command / output trap
This command shows the status of the firewalld service (running or not), not the firewall rules themselves. It does not list any rules.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Firewalld uses nftables as its default backend on modern distributions (e.g., RHEL 8+), but it can also use iptables. The `firewall-cmd` commands interact with the firewalld daemon via D-Bus, ensuring that both runtime and permanent configurations are accurately reflected. In real-world scenarios, using `iptables -L` after firewalld changes may show a snapshot that does not account for zone-based policies or direct rules added via `firewall-cmd --direct`.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A practitioner preparing for the LFCS exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Networking — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Networking practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All LFCS questions
513 questions across all exam domains
- →
Linux Foundation Certified System Administrator LFCS study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
- →
LFCS practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Related LFCS practice-question pages
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
User and Group Management practice questions
Practise LFCS questions linked to User and Group Management.
Operation of Running Systems practice questions
Practise LFCS questions linked to Operation of Running Systems.
Essential Commands practice questions
Practise LFCS questions linked to Essential Commands.
Networking practice questions
Practise LFCS questions linked to Networking.
Service Configuration practice questions
Practise LFCS questions linked to Service Configuration.
Storage Management practice questions
Practise LFCS questions linked to Storage Management.
LFCS fundamentals practice questions
Practise LFCS questions linked to LFCS fundamentals.
LFCS scenario practice questions
Practise LFCS questions linked to LFCS scenario.
LFCS troubleshooting practice questions
Practise LFCS questions linked to LFCS troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Start a free LFCS practice session
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this LFCS question test?
Networking — This question tests Networking — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: firewall-cmd --list-all-zones — Option D is correct because `firewall-cmd --list-all-zones` displays the firewall rules for all zones configured in firewalld, showing services, ports, and rules per zone. Option E is correct because `firewall-cmd --list-all` lists the rules for the default zone, providing a concise view of active firewall configuration. Both commands are native to firewalld and directly query its runtime and permanent rules via D-Bus.
What should I do if I get this LFCS question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
Keep practising
More LFCS practice questions
- A system administrator needs to ensure the Apache httpd service starts automatically on system boot. Which command shoul…
- Which THREE of the following are valid methods to mount an NFS filesystem on a client?
- Refer to the exhibit. The administrator wants to create a RAID 1 array using /dev/sdb1 and /dev/sdc1. Which command shou…
- A system administrator needs to list all files in the current directory, including hidden files, in a long listing forma…
- A user wants to find all files in /var/log that have been modified within the last 2 days. Which command should they use…
- A user needs to view the contents of a compressed log file /var/log/syslog.gz without first decompressing it. Which comm…
Last reviewed: Jun 25, 2026
This LFCS practice question is part of Courseiva's free Linux Foundation certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the LFCS exam.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.