LPIC-1 Essential System Services and Networking Practice Question
A company's server administrator needs to replace an existing DNS server (192.168.1.10) with a new one (192.168.1.20). Which file must be updated on all DHCP clients to ensure they use the new DNS server?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse the client-side file /etc/resolv.conf with the server-side configuration that actually controls what DNS servers are distributed, leading them to think editing resolv.conf directly is the correct approach.
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/dhcp/dhcpd.conf
The DHCP server configuration file /etc/dhcp/dhcpd.conf contains the 'option domain-name-servers' directive that specifies which DNS servers are handed out to DHCP clients. When a client renews its lease, it receives the new DNS server IP (192.168.1.20) from the DHCP server, updating the client's /etc/resolv.conf automatically. This is the proper way to centrally manage DNS server assignments across all DHCP clients.
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/dhcp/dhcpd.conf
Why this is correct
DHCP server config; update DNS options and restart DHCP.
- ✗
/etc/resolv.conf
Why it's wrong here
Local client file, but will be overwritten by DHCP.
- ✗
/etc/nsswitch.conf
Why it's wrong here
Controls order of name resolution services.
- ✗
/etc/hosts
Why it's wrong here
Static hostname to IP mappings.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
This LPIC-1 practice question is part of Courseiva's free LPI 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 LPIC-1 exam.