The answer is that the SSH connection will succeed because the OUTPUT chain’s default policy is ACCEPT. This is correct because when a local user initiates an SSH session to a remote host, the outgoing packets traverse the OUTPUT chain, and with no explicit DROP or REJECT rule present, the default ACCEPT policy permits all traffic, including TCP port 22. On the LPIC-2 exam, this scenario tests your understanding of packet flow direction and default policies—a common trap is confusing the OUTPUT chain’s behavior with the INPUT chain’s DROP policy, which only affects incoming packets. Remember that the OUTPUT chain governs locally generated outbound traffic, so its default policy directly controls whether SSH or any other outgoing connection is allowed. A useful memory tip: “OUTgoing is OUTbound—if it’s ACCEPT, your SSH leaves unchecked.”
LPIC-2 Advanced Networking Configuration Practice Question
This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of advanced networking configuration. Match the stated requirement to the specific cloud service, access model, or configuration option — many options are valid in isolation but not for this scenario. 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.
Network Topology
Refer to the exhibit. If a user on the local machine tries to SSH to a remote host on eth1, what will happen?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The connection will succeed because the OUTPUT chain accepts all.
The correct answer is B because the OUTPUT chain has a default policy of ACCEPT, meaning all outgoing packets, including SSH traffic (TCP port 22), are allowed by default. Since the user is initiating an SSH connection from the local machine, the packet traverses the OUTPUT chain, and with no explicit DROP or REJECT rule, it is permitted. The INPUT chain's default DROP policy only affects incoming packets, not outgoing connections.
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.
✗
The connection will succeed only if the remote host is on eth0.
Why it's wrong here
The interface does not matter for outgoing connections; OUTPUT chain doesn't filter by interface.
✓
The connection will succeed because the OUTPUT chain accepts all.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
The connection will fail because there is no rule accepting outgoing SSH.
Why it's wrong here
Default policy ACCEPT allows all outgoing.
✗
The connection will fail because the INPUT chain drops all.
Why it's wrong here
INPUT chain applies to incoming packets; outgoing connections are not affected.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates mistakenly focus on the INPUT chain's DROP policy and assume it blocks outgoing SSH, or they think a specific rule for SSH is required in the OUTPUT chain, overlooking the default ACCEPT policy.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
The interface does not matter for outgoing connections; OUTPUT chain doesn't filter by interface.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In iptables, the OUTPUT chain filters locally generated outgoing packets before they are routed. The default policy for each chain (ACCEPT or DROP) applies when no matching rule is found; here, the OUTPUT chain's default ACCEPT allows all outbound traffic. For the SSH connection to succeed, the remote host's response must also be allowed by the local INPUT chain, but the question focuses on the initial outgoing SSH request. In real-world scenarios, administrators often set the OUTPUT chain to DROP for strict egress filtering, but this is not the case in the exhibit.
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 security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
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 — 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: The connection will succeed because the OUTPUT chain accepts all. — The correct answer is B because the OUTPUT chain has a default policy of ACCEPT, meaning all outgoing packets, including SSH traffic (TCP port 22), are allowed by default. Since the user is initiating an SSH connection from the local machine, the packet traverses the OUTPUT chain, and with no explicit DROP or REJECT rule, it is permitted. The INPUT chain's default DROP policy only affects incoming packets, not outgoing connections.
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.
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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
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