LFCS Networking Practice Question
After editing /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0, the network service fails to start. Which is the best command to investigate?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that candidates often pick `journalctl -u NetworkManager` because it shows logs, but the LFCS exam expects you to know that `systemctl status` is the first-line diagnostic tool for service failures, as it provides a quick summary of the service state and recent errors without needing to filter through all logs.
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
✓
systemctl status NetworkManager
The best command to investigate why the network service fails to start after editing an interface configuration file is `systemctl status NetworkManager`, because it shows the current state, recent log entries, and any error messages from the NetworkManager service. Since NetworkManager is the default network service on modern RHEL/CentOS systems, checking its status directly reveals whether it failed to reload or start, and often includes the specific configuration error.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
nmcli device status
Why it's wrong here
This shows device status, not why the service failed.
- ✓
systemctl status NetworkManager
Why this is correct
This shows the current status and recent errors of the NetworkManager service.
- ✗
journalctl -u NetworkManager
Why it's wrong here
This shows detailed logs, but the service status command is a better initial step.
- ✗
ip link show eth0
Why it's wrong here
This shows link state, not service failure reasons.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.