LPIC-1 Essential System Services and Networking Practice Question
Which THREE of the following are valid files or directories used by the Domain Name System (DNS) resolution process on a Linux system?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse server-side DNS configuration files (like `/etc/named.conf`) with client-side resolution files, or they overlook `/etc/host.conf` and `/etc/nsswitch.conf` as essential parts of the DNS resolution chain.
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/host.conf
`/etc/host.conf` controls the order in which hostname resolution methods are tried (e.g., 'order hosts,bind'), directly influencing whether the system queries DNS or checks local files first. This file is part of the glibc resolver's configuration and is consulted during the DNS resolution process 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.
- ✓
/etc/host.conf
Why this is correct
Specifies resolver options like order and multi.
- ✓
/etc/resolv.conf
Why this is correct
Lists DNS servers and search domains.
- ✗
/etc/named.conf
Why it's wrong here
Configuration for BIND DNS server, not client-side resolver.
- ✗
/etc/sysconfig/network
Why it's wrong here
Used for network interface configuration on some distros, not DNS resolution.
- ✓
/etc/nsswitch.conf
Why this is correct
Controls order of name resolution methods (e.g., files, dns).
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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.