Question 1hardmultiple choice
Full question →- A
host
Why wrong: Queries DNS directly.
- B
getent hosts
Tests resolution via nsswitch.
- C
nslookup
Why wrong: Queries DNS directly.
- D
dig
Why wrong: Queries DNS directly, ignores nsswitch.
Question 1 of 511
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.
Which command can be used to test the entire name resolution order as defined in nsswitch.conf?
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
✓
getent hosts
The `getent hosts` command queries the system's Name Service Switch (NSS) configured sources in the exact order defined in `/etc/nsswitch.conf`. It uses the `gethostbyname()` or `getaddrinfo()` library calls, which respect the `hosts:` line in nsswitch.conf (e.g., `files dns myhostname`), testing resolution through each source sequentially until a result is found or all sources are exhausted.
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.
- ✗
host
Why it's wrong here
Queries DNS directly.
- ✓
getent hosts
Why this is correct
Tests resolution via nsswitch.
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.
- ✗
nslookup
Why it's wrong here
Queries DNS directly.
- ✗
dig
Why it's wrong here
Queries DNS directly, ignores nsswitch.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often choose `dig` or `host` because they are familiar DNS tools, but they fail to realize that these commands bypass the NSS configuration and only test DNS, not the full resolution order including local files or other sources like `myhostname`.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The NSS system, defined by the GNU C Library (glibc), allows administrators to configure the order of name resolution sources (e.g., `files`, `dns`, `myhostname`, `mdns4_minimal`) in `/etc/nsswitch.conf`. The `getent` command uses the same library calls as standard applications, making it the only reliable way to test the full resolution chain. A subtle behavior: if the `hosts:` line includes `myhostname`, `getent hosts` will also resolve the local hostname from `/etc/hostname` or systemd's hostnamed, which `dig` or `host` would never do.
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 — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
- →
Network Client Management practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
- →
All LPIC-2 questions
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- →
Linux Professional Institute Certification Level 2 LPIC-2 study guide
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LPIC-2 practice test guide
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FAQ
Questions learners often ask
What does this LPIC-2 question test?
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: getent hosts — The `getent hosts` command queries the system's Name Service Switch (NSS) configured sources in the exact order defined in `/etc/nsswitch.conf`. It uses the `gethostbyname()` or `getaddrinfo()` library calls, which respect the `hosts:` line in nsswitch.conf (e.g., `files dns myhostname`), testing resolution through each source sequentially until a result is found or all sources are exhausted.
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.
About these practice questions
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Last reviewed: Jun 25, 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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