LPIC-2 DNS, Web and Mail Services Practice Question
Exhibit
12-Jan-2025 14:32:10.123 client @0x7f2c00000808 192.0.2.50#54321 (example.com): query: example.com IN A + (192.0.2.1) 12-Jan-2025 14:32:10.124 lame server resolving 'example.com' (in 'example.com'?): 192.0.2.1#53
Refer to the exhibit. The DNS server at 192.0.2.1 is the primary for example.com. What does the 'lame server' message indicate?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse 'lame server' with a server being unreachable or overloaded, but it specifically refers to a delegation-authority mismatch where the server does not serve the zone it is expected to.
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 server does not consider itself authoritative for example.com.
A 'lame server' message in DNS indicates that a server has received a query for a domain for which it is configured as a nameserver (e.g., via NS records or delegation), but it does not consider itself authoritative for that domain. In this case, the DNS server at 192.0.2.1 is the primary for example.com, so the message means it is not configured with the zone data or does not have the zone loaded, thus it responds as non-authoritative.
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 server received a query for an invalid domain.
Why it's wrong here
The query is for example.com, which is a valid domain.
- ✗
The server is not configured to listen on the querying client's network.
Why it's wrong here
Listen-on configuration affects query reception, not authoritative status.
- ✓
The server does not consider itself authoritative for example.com.
Why this is correct
The server responded but does not have the zone, hence 'lame'.
- ✗
The server is too busy to answer queries.
Why it's wrong here
Busy servers might drop queries or return SERVFAIL, not 'lame server'.
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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.