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Network Client ManagementeasyMultiple ChoiceObjective-mapped

LPIC-2 Network Client Management Practice Question

Exhibit

Refer to the exhibit.

Contents of /etc/resolv.conf:

```
nameserver 192.168.1.1
search example.com
```

Refer to the exhibit. A user on the client tries to ping 'server1' and gets an unknown host error. What is the most likely cause?

⚠ Common exam trap

Test-takers frequently confuse a DNS resolution failure due to a missing record (NXDOMAIN) with network connectivity issues or misconfigured resolvers, leading them to choose options like incorrect DNS server IP or timeout, when the actual cause is a lack of a DNS record for the queried hostname.

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

The DNS server has no record for 'server1.example.com'.

The error 'unknown host' indicates that the client's DNS resolution failed for the hostname 'server1'. Since the client likely uses a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) lookup or appends a search domain, the most common cause is that the DNS server does not have an A or AAAA record for 'server1.example.com'. Without a matching record, the resolver returns NXDOMAIN, leading to the 'unknown host' error.

Answer analysis

Option-by-option breakdown

For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.

  • The DNS server has no record for 'server1.example.com'.

    Why this is correct

    The resolver will try to resolve 'server1.example.com' due to the search domain; if no record exists, it fails.

  • The search domain is missing.

    Why it's wrong here

    The search domain is present; it might be the wrong domain but it is there.

  • The DNS server IP is incorrect.

    Why it's wrong here

    The IP is given; there is no indication it is wrong.

  • Only one nameserver is specified, causing a timeout.

    Why it's wrong here

    One nameserver is sufficient; timeout would occur if the server were unreachable.

Visual reference

Client Recursive Resolver Root DNS (13 root servers) TLD DNS (.com, .org, …) Authoritative example.com query IP addr answer

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JA

Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security

Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva

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.