This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of system security. 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 THREE conditions must be met for an SSH key-based login to succeed using the default settings on a OpenSSH server? (Choose three.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The ~/.ssh directory on the remote server has permissions 0700
Options A, B, and E are correct. The private key must be on the client (usually in ~/.ssh/id_rsa). The public key must be in the remote user's ~/.ssh/authorized_keys. The permissions of the remote ~/.ssh directory must be 0700. Option C is wrong because the server's /etc/ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key is the host key, not user key. Option D is wrong because the server's configuration is not directly related to user key path if PasswordAuthentication is yes? Actually the question asks 'default settings', and default OpenSSH server allows public key auth. The client does not need to store the host key manually; it's verified on first connect. So D is not a condition for login success.
Key principle: NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
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 ~/.ssh directory on the remote server has permissions 0700
Why this is correct
SSH requires strict permissions on .ssh directory.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✓
The remote server has the public key appended to ~/.ssh/authorized_keys
Why this is correct
Public key must be in authorized_keys.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
✗
The remote server has the host key /etc/ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key
Why it's wrong here
Host key is for server identity, not user authentication.
✗
The client has the server's public host key stored in ~/.ssh/known_hosts
Why it's wrong here
Needed for host verification, but not requirement for authentication success (can be bypassed).
✓
The client has the private key in ~/.ssh/id_rsa
Why this is correct
Default private key path for RSA.
Related concept
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: NAT rules depend on direction and matching traffic
NAT is not only about the public address. The inside/outside interface roles and the ACL or rule that matches traffic are just as important.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NAT questions usually test address translation, overload/PAT behaviour, static mappings and whether the right traffic is being translated. Read the interface direction and address terms carefully.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
PAT allows many inside hosts to share one public address using ports.
Inside local and inside global describe the private and translated addresses.
NAT ACLs identify traffic for translation, not always security filtering.
TExam Day Tips
→Identify inside and outside interfaces first.
→Check whether the scenario needs static NAT, dynamic NAT or PAT.
→Do not confuse NAT matching ACLs with normal packet-filtering intent.
Key takeaway
NAT direction and interface roles matter as much as the IP address mapping. Inside/outside designation controls which traffic is translated.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related LPIC-2 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
System Security — This question tests System Security — Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: The ~/.ssh directory on the remote server has permissions 0700 — Options A, B, and E are correct. The private key must be on the client (usually in ~/.ssh/id_rsa). The public key must be in the remote user's ~/.ssh/authorized_keys. The permissions of the remote ~/.ssh directory must be 0700. Option C is wrong because the server's /etc/ssh/ssh_host_rsa_key is the host key, not user key. Option D is wrong because the server's configuration is not directly related to user key path if PasswordAuthentication is yes? Actually the question asks 'default settings', and default OpenSSH server allows public key auth. The client does not need to store the host key manually; it's verified on first connect. So D is not a condition for login success.
What should I do if I get this LPIC-2 question wrong?
Review the four NAT address types (inside local, inside global, outside local, outside global), PAT port overload, and static vs dynamic NAT use cases. Then practise related LPIC-2 NAT questions on configuration and troubleshooting.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Static NAT maps one inside address to one outside address.
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