LPIC-1 Essential System Services and Networking Practice Question
A Linux system's hostname resolution does not consult /etc/hosts before querying DNS. Which file controls the order of name resolution services?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse /etc/nsswitch.conf with /etc/resolv.conf or /etc/host.conf, assuming DNS order is controlled by resolver configuration files rather than the NSS database order.
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/nsswitch.conf
The /etc/nsswitch.conf file controls the order of name resolution services by defining the 'hosts' database entry, which specifies the sources (e.g., files, dns) and their lookup order. If the entry is 'hosts: dns files', the system queries DNS before /etc/hosts, bypassing the local file. This file is part of the GNU C Library's Name Service Switch (NSS) framework, which governs all system databases like passwd, group, and hosts.
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/nsswitch.conf
Why this is correct
This file controls the order of sources for name resolution, such as files (hosts) and DNS.
- ✗
/etc/host.conf
Why it's wrong here
This file is obsolete; modern systems use nsswitch.conf.
- ✗
/etc/resolv.conf
Why it's wrong here
This file configures DNS servers and search domains, not the resolution order.
- ✗
/etc/dnsmasq.conf
Why it's wrong here
This is configuration for dnsmasq, a local DNS resolver.
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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.