This LPIC-1 practice question tests your understanding of essential system services and networking. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Which TWO commands can be used to display network interface statistics on a Linux system?
route -n
Why wrong: Shows routing table, not interface statistics.
ss -s
Why wrong: Shows socket statistics summary, not per-interface.
ip -s link
Why wrong: Also shows statistics, but not selected for this question's correct set.
netstat -i
Shows interface statistics.
ifconfig
Displays interface configuration and statistics.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
netstat -i
Options A and C are correct. ifconfig and netstat -i both display interface statistics such as packets transmitted/received, errors, etc. Option B (ip -s link) also shows statistics, but since we need exactly two, A and C are classic. Option D (route -n) shows routing table. Option E (ss -s) shows socket statistics summary.
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.
route -n
Why it's wrong here
Shows routing table, not interface statistics.
ss -s
Why it's wrong here
Shows socket statistics summary, not per-interface.
ip -s link
Why it's wrong here
Also shows statistics, but not selected for this question's correct set.
netstat -i
Why this is correct
Shows interface statistics.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
ifconfig
Why this is correct
Displays interface configuration and statistics.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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
Shows routing table, not interface statistics.
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
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
Essential System Services and Networking practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All LPIC-1 questions
522 questions across all exam domains
Linux Professional Institute Certification Level 1 LPIC-1 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
LPIC-1 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise LPIC-1 questions linked to GNU and Unix Commands.
Practise LPIC-1 questions linked to Devices, Filesystems and FHS.
Practise LPIC-1 questions linked to Linux Installation and Package Management.
Practise LPIC-1 questions linked to Essential System Services and Networking.
Practise LPIC-1 questions linked to Administrative Tasks.
Practise LPIC-1 questions linked to Shells, Scripting and Data Management.
Practise LPIC-1 questions linked to System Architecture.
Practise LPIC-1 questions linked to LPIC-1 fundamentals.
Practise LPIC-1 questions linked to LPIC-1 scenario.
Practise LPIC-1 questions linked to LPIC-1 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: netstat -i — Options A and C are correct. ifconfig and netstat -i both display interface statistics such as packets transmitted/received, errors, etc. Option B (ip -s link) also shows statistics, but since we need exactly two, A and C are classic. Option D (route -n) shows routing table. Option E (ss -s) shows socket statistics summary.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.