LPIC-1 Essential System Services and Networking Practice Question
Which three files are essential for network configuration and name resolution on a typical Linux system? (Choose three.)
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse distribution-specific network configuration files (like `/etc/network/interfaces`) with essential system-wide name resolution files, leading them to select options that are not universally required across all Linux distributions.
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/hosts
The `/etc/hosts` file provides static hostname-to-IP address mapping, allowing name resolution before DNS is queried. It is essential for local network configuration and fallback resolution, as defined by RFC 952 and the glibc Name Service Switch (NSS) framework.
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/network/interfaces
Why it's wrong here
This file is specific to Debian networking; not essential on all systems.
- ✓
/etc/hosts
Why this is correct
Maps hostnames to IP addresses locally.
- ✗
/etc/sysctl.conf
Why it's wrong here
Configures kernel parameters, not directly for networking basics.
- ✓
/etc/nsswitch.conf
Why this is correct
Controls the order of name resolution sources.
- ✓
/etc/resolv.conf
Why this is correct
Specifies DNS resolver configuration.
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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.