The correct configuration is to add `supersede domain-name-servers 8.8.8.8;` to `/etc/dhcp/dhclient.conf`. This directive forces the DHCP client to override DHCP-provided DNS settings with the specified static DNS server, allowing the client to automatically obtain an IP address from DHCP while ignoring any DNS servers the DHCP server offers. On the LPIC-2 exam, this tests your understanding of the DHCP client configuration file and the `supersede` statement, which is a common tool for overriding specific DHCP options without disabling dynamic addressing. A frequent trap is confusing `supersede` with `append` or `prepend`, which add to the list rather than replace it. Remember the mnemonic: "Supersede supersedes all; append adds to the call."
LPIC-2 Network Client Management Practice Question
This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of network client management. 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 needs to configure a Linux client to automatically obtain an IP address from a DHCP server but also ensure that the client uses a specific static DNS server (8.8.8.8) regardless of the DHCP-provided DNS. Which configuration should be applied?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Add 'supersede domain-name-servers 8.8.8.8;' to /etc/dhcp/dhclient.conf
Option D is correct because the `supersede` directive in `/etc/dhcp/dhclient.conf` forces the DHCP client to replace any DNS server addresses received from the DHCP server with the specified value (8.8.8.8). This ensures the client uses the static DNS server regardless of what the DHCP server offers, while still obtaining its IP address dynamically.
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.
✗
Add 'append domain-name-servers 8.8.8.8;' to /etc/dhcp/dhclient.conf
Why it's wrong here
append adds the DNS server after DHCP-provided ones, so the client may use both.
✗
Edit /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0 and set PEERDNS=no and DNS1=8.8.8.8
Why it's wrong here
This is distribution-specific and not universal; also it may not override DHCP if not properly configured.
✗
Add 'prepend domain-name-servers 8.8.8.8;' to /etc/dhcp/dhclient.conf
Why it's wrong here
prepend adds the DNS server before DHCP-provided ones but does not override; the DHCP-provided servers might still be used.
✓
Add 'supersede domain-name-servers 8.8.8.8;' to /etc/dhcp/dhclient.conf
Why this is correct
supersede overrides the DHCP-provided DNS servers with the specified one.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse `prepend` (which adds a DNS server but does not remove DHCP-provided ones) with `supersede` (which completely replaces the DHCP-provided list), leading them to choose option C instead of D.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The `supersede` directive is part of the dhclient configuration syntax defined in `dhclient.conf(5)` and instructs the DHCP client to override any option received from the server with the locally specified value. This is particularly useful in environments where the DHCP server pushes incorrect or unreliable DNS servers, or when compliance requires a fixed DNS resolver regardless of network changes. Under the hood, dhclient processes options in order: defaults, then `prepend`/`append`, then `supersede`, with `supersede` having the highest priority.
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 practitioner preparing for the LPIC-2 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
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.
Network Client Management — This question tests Network Client Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Add 'supersede domain-name-servers 8.8.8.8;' to /etc/dhcp/dhclient.conf — Option D is correct because the `supersede` directive in `/etc/dhcp/dhclient.conf` forces the DHCP client to replace any DNS server addresses received from the DHCP server with the specified value (8.8.8.8). This ensures the client uses the static DNS server regardless of what the DHCP server offers, while still obtaining its IP address dynamically.
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.
What is the key concept behind this question?
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. An administrator wants to ensure that a Linux client sends all DNS queries to a specific DNS server without relying on DHCP-provided DNS servers. Which configuration files should be modified?
medium
A.Configure NetworkManager to ignore DNS from DHCP and set the DNS manually in the connection profile
✓ B.Edit /etc/dhcp/dhclient.conf to add 'supersede domain-name-servers <desired IP>;'
C.Edit /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-eth0 and set PEERDNS=no and DNS1=<desired IP>
D.Edit /etc/resolv.conf and set the nameserver to the desired IP
Why B: Option B is correct because the dhclient.conf file allows an administrator to override DHCP-provided DNS servers using the 'supersede' directive. This forces the DHCP client to ignore the DNS servers received from the DHCP server and instead use the manually specified DNS server when writing /etc/resolv.conf. This is a standard method for controlling DNS resolution on systems using dhclient.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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.
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.
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.