LPIC-2 Network Client Management Practice Question
Which TWO commands can be used to display the current IP address and netmask of network interfaces on a Linux system?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often confuse `netstat -i` (interface statistics) with displaying IP configuration, or assume `arp -a` shows local interface addresses instead of remote MAC mappings.
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
✓
ifconfig
Both `ifconfig` and `ip addr show` can display the current IP address and netmask assigned to network interfaces. `ifconfig` is a legacy tool from the net-tools package that shows IPv4 addresses and netmasks (e.g., `inet 192.168.1.10 netmask 255.255.255.0`). `ip addr show` is the modern replacement from the iproute2 package, providing detailed IPv4 and IPv6 addressing information, including netmask in CIDR notation (e.g., `192.168.1.10/24`).
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
arp -a
Why it's wrong here
Displays ARP cache, not local IP addresses.
- ✓
ifconfig
Why this is correct
Traditional command to display interface configuration, including IP and netmask.
- ✓
ip addr show
Why this is correct
Displays all IP addresses and netmasks assigned to interfaces.
- ✗
netstat -i
Why it's wrong here
netstat -i lists interfaces and statistics, but does not show IP addresses.
- ✗
route -n
Why it's wrong here
Displays the routing table, not IP addresses.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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