LFCS Networking Practice Question
Which TWO commands can be used to display the current routing table on a Linux system?
⚠ Common exam trap
The trap here is that `netstat -r` is a valid command for displaying the routing table, but it is deprecated and not considered a primary tool in the LFCS exam, which emphasizes the modern `ip` command over legacy tools.
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
✓
route -n
The `route -n` command displays the kernel IP routing table with numeric addresses, avoiding DNS resolution for faster output. The `ip route show` command is part of the modern `iproute2` suite and shows the same routing table with more detail and flexibility. Both are standard tools for viewing the current routing table on Linux.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
ss -r
Why it's wrong here
The `ss -r` command does not exist; `ss` is used for socket statistics, not routing table display.
- ✓
route -n
Why this is correct
`route -n` displays the kernel IP routing table with numeric addresses, avoiding DNS resolution. It is a classic and correct command.
- ✓
ip route show
Why this is correct
`ip route show` is the modern command from the iproute2 suite, showing the routing table with more detail. It is the preferred tool on modern Linux systems.
- ✗
netstat -r
Why it's wrong here
`netstat -r` can display the routing table but is deprecated. The LFCS exam emphasizes the modern `ip` command over legacy tools like netstat, so it is not considered a correct answer here.
- ✗
ifconfig
Why it's wrong here
ifconfig displays network interfaces, not routing tables.
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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.