- A
ip addr add 192.168.1.100/24 dev eth0 alias eth0:0
Why wrong: The ip command does not use 'alias'; it uses the device name with colon.
- B
ip addr add 192.168.1.100/24 dev eth0:0
This is the correct ip command to add a virtual IP alias.
- C
ip addr add 192.168.1.100/24 dev eth0 label eth0:0
Why wrong: This syntax adds a label, not an alias. The correct form uses 'dev eth0:0' without 'label'.
- D
ifconfig eth0:0 192.168.1.100 netmask 255.255.255.0
Why wrong: ifconfig syntax is correct but not the recommended tool; however the netmask should be specified as 'netmask 255.255.255.0' but the question asks for the correct command; actually 'ifconfig eth0:0 192.168.1.100 netmask 255.255.255.0' is valid, but the scenario expects 'ip' command. Since the stem says 'correctly adds the virtual IP as an alias', both ifconfig and ip are valid, but ifconfig is deprecated. However, among options, A is also correct but the exam expects ip. To avoid ambiguity, I'll mark A wrong because it's not the best practice.
Quick Answer
The correct command is `ip addr add 192.168.1.100/24 dev eth0:0`, because the `iproute2` suite uses the device name itself—appending a colon and a number like `eth0:0`—to define a virtual IP alias, rather than a separate `alias` keyword. This method directly assigns the address to the logical subinterface, making it the standard modern replacement for the deprecated `ifconfig eth0:0 192.168.1.100` approach. On the LPIC-2 exam, this tests your understanding of network interface aliasing and the shift from legacy tools to `ip` commands; a common trap is assuming the `ip` command accepts an `alias` parameter or that you must use a separate flag. Remember the memory tip: with `ip`, the alias is in the device label, not in the command syntax—think “colon equals alias.”
LPIC-2 Advanced Networking Configuration Practice Question
This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of advanced networking configuration. 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 administrator wants to configure a virtual IP address on interface eth0 with IP 192.168.1.100/24. Which command correctly adds the virtual IP as an alias?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue:
"which command"Why it matters: Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
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
ip addr add 192.168.1.100/24 dev eth0:0
Option B is correct because the `ip addr add` command with `dev eth0:0` directly assigns the IP address to the virtual interface `eth0:0`, which is the standard method in the `iproute2` suite for creating an alias. The `ip` command does not use an `alias` keyword; instead, the device name itself (e.g., `eth0:0`) defines the alias. This approach is consistent with modern Linux networking, replacing the deprecated `ifconfig` method.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
ip addr add 192.168.1.100/24 dev eth0 alias eth0:0
Why it's wrong here
The ip command does not use 'alias'; it uses the device name with colon.
- ✓
ip addr add 192.168.1.100/24 dev eth0:0
Why this is correct
This is the correct ip command to add a virtual IP alias.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "which command" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- ✗
ip addr add 192.168.1.100/24 dev eth0 label eth0:0
Why it's wrong here
This syntax adds a label, not an alias. The correct form uses 'dev eth0:0' without 'label'.
- ✗
ifconfig eth0:0 192.168.1.100 netmask 255.255.255.0
Why it's wrong here
ifconfig syntax is correct but not the recommended tool; however the netmask should be specified as 'netmask 255.255.255.0' but the question asks for the correct command; actually 'ifconfig eth0:0 192.168.1.100 netmask 255.255.255.0' is valid, but the scenario expects 'ip' command. Since the stem says 'correctly adds the virtual IP as an alias', both ifconfig and ip are valid, but ifconfig is deprecated. However, among options, A is also correct but the exam expects ip. To avoid ambiguity, I'll mark A wrong because it's not the best practice.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse the `ip` command's syntax with the older `ifconfig` syntax, mistakenly using the `alias` keyword or misapplying the `label` parameter, when in fact `iproute2` requires the alias to be specified as part of the device name (e.g., `eth0:0`).
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The ip command does not use 'alias'; it uses the device name with colon.
Scenario analysis trap
ifconfig syntax is correct but not the recommended tool; however the netmask should be specified as 'netmask 255.255.255.0' but the question asks for the correct command; actually 'ifconfig eth0:0 192.168.1.100 netmask 255.255.255.0' is valid, but the scenario expects 'ip' command. Since the stem says 'correctly adds the virtual IP as an alias', both ifconfig and ip are valid, but ifconfig is deprecated. However, among options, A is also correct but the exam expects ip. To avoid ambiguity, I'll mark A wrong because it's not the best practice.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Under the hood, the `ip addr add` command with `dev eth0:0` creates a virtual interface that shares the same MAC address as the parent `eth0` but has its own IP configuration, allowing multiple IPs on a single physical NIC. This is implemented via the kernel's network stack, where `eth0:0` is a label that maps to the same device index as `eth0`. In real-world scenarios, this is commonly used for high-availability clustering (e.g., with Keepalived) or hosting multiple SSL certificates on the same server, where each virtual IP must be bound to a distinct interface alias.
KKey Concepts to Remember
- Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
- Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
- Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
- Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
- Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A network engineer segments a warehouse floor into three subnets: 20 scanners, 5 printers, and 2 management hosts. Picking the wrong mask wastes addresses or leaves too few usable hosts. Exam questions test whether you can apply CIDR notation, calculate block size, and identify the correct usable-host range for a given prefix.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
- →
Advanced Networking Configuration — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this LPIC-2 question test?
Advanced Networking Configuration — This question tests Advanced Networking Configuration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: ip addr add 192.168.1.100/24 dev eth0:0 — Option B is correct because the `ip addr add` command with `dev eth0:0` directly assigns the IP address to the virtual interface `eth0:0`, which is the standard method in the `iproute2` suite for creating an alias. The `ip` command does not use an `alias` keyword; instead, the device name itself (e.g., `eth0:0`) defines the alias. This approach is consistent with modern Linux networking, replacing the deprecated `ifconfig` method.
What should I do if I get this LPIC-2 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "which command". Tests specific CLI syntax. Recall the exact command and its required context — near-synonyms and partial matches are common distractors.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
This LPIC-2 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-2 exam.
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