This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of essential system services and 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.
An Ubuntu 20.04 server needs a static IP address. The administrator has created a netplan YAML file at /etc/netplan/01-netcfg.yaml. What is the next step to apply the configuration?
netplan apply
netplan apply parses YAML and configures network interfaces accordingly.
ifconfig eth0 down; ifconfig eth0 up
Why wrong: ifconfig is deprecated and netplan does not use it; this may not work.
service network-manager restart
Why wrong: NetworkManager is typically used on desktops, not servers with netplan.
systemctl restart networking
Why wrong: This command is for sysvinit-based systems; Ubuntu 20.04 uses systemd and netplan.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
netplan apply
The netplan apply command reads the YAML configuration and applies it to the system, typically by configuring systemd-networkd. Restarting the networking service is for legacy systems. ifconfig commands are deprecated. NetworkManager is usually not used on servers.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
netplan apply
Why this is correct
netplan apply parses YAML and configures network interfaces accordingly.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
ifconfig eth0 down; ifconfig eth0 up
Why it's wrong here
ifconfig is deprecated and netplan does not use it; this may not work.
service network-manager restart
Why it's wrong here
NetworkManager is typically used on desktops, not servers with netplan.
systemctl restart networking
Why it's wrong here
This command is for sysvinit-based systems; Ubuntu 20.04 uses systemd and netplan.
Common exam traps
Many certification questions include familiar terms but test a specific constraint. Read the exact wording before choosing an answer that is generally true but wrong for this case.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
This command is for sysvinit-based systems; Ubuntu 20.04 uses systemd and netplan.
Detailed technical explanation
This question should be treated as a scenario, not a definition check. Identify the problem, the constraint and the best action. Then compare each option against those facts.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the LPIC-1 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
Identify which LPIC-1 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Essential System Services and Networking — study guide chapter
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FAQ
Essential System Services and Networking — This question tests Essential System Services and Networking — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: netplan apply — The netplan apply command reads the YAML configuration and applies it to the system, typically by configuring systemd-networkd. Restarting the networking service is for legacy systems. ifconfig commands are deprecated. NetworkManager is usually not used on servers.
Identify which LPIC-1 exam domain this question belongs to, then review the specific concept being tested. Practise related questions in that domain and focus on understanding why each wrong answer is tempting — not just why the correct answer is right.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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