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.
Which THREE of the following are valid bonding modes in Linux?
mode 2 (balance-xor)
XOR balancing– a valid bonding mode.
mode 8
Why wrong: Mode 8 is not defined in the Linux bonding driver.
mode 1 (active-backup)
Active-backup– a valid bonding mode.
mode 0 (balance-rr)
Round-robin– a valid bonding mode.
mode 7
Why wrong: Mode 7 is not defined in the Linux bonding driver.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
mode 2 (balance-xor)
Option A (mode 2, balance-xor) is a valid bonding mode that uses a hash policy (typically based on MAC addresses) to select a slave interface for outgoing traffic, providing both load balancing and fault tolerance. It is one of the seven standard bonding modes defined in the Linux kernel bonding driver (modes 0 through 6).
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
mode 2 (balance-xor)
Why this is correct
XOR balancing– a valid bonding mode.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
mode 8
Why it's wrong here
Mode 8 is not defined in the Linux bonding driver.
mode 1 (active-backup)
Why this is correct
Active-backup– a valid bonding mode.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
mode 0 (balance-rr)
Why this is correct
Round-robin– a valid bonding mode.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
mode 7
Why it's wrong here
Mode 7 is not defined in the Linux bonding driver.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may confuse the number of bonding modes (7) with the mode numbers themselves, incorrectly assuming modes 7 or 8 exist, or they may recall that some proprietary or virtual switch implementations support additional modes not present in the standard Linux bonding driver.
Detailed technical explanation
The Linux bonding driver implements seven modes: mode 0 (balance-rr), mode 1 (active-backup), mode 2 (balance-xor), mode 3 (broadcast), mode 4 (802.3ad - LACP), mode 5 (balance-tlb), and mode 6 (balance-alb). Mode 2 uses an XOR of source and destination MAC addresses (or other selectable hash policies via xmit_hash_policy) to determine the slave, ensuring packets for the same flow always use the same interface, which prevents out-of-order delivery.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Advanced Networking Configuration — This question tests Advanced Networking Configuration — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: mode 2 (balance-xor) — Option A (mode 2, balance-xor) is a valid bonding mode that uses a hash policy (typically based on MAC addresses) to select a slave interface for outgoing traffic, providing both load balancing and fault tolerance. It is one of the seven standard bonding modes defined in the Linux kernel bonding driver (modes 0 through 6).
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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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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