LPIC-2 Advanced Networking Configuration Practice Question
Which TWO commands can be used to display the routing table on a Linux system?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse `ss -r` with a routing command, but `ss` is for socket statistics and `-r` resolves hostnames, not routes; similarly, `ip link show` is mistaken for a routing command when it only shows link-layer interfaces.
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
✓
route -n
The `route -n` command displays the kernel IP routing table with numeric addresses, avoiding DNS lookups for faster output. It is a traditional tool that directly reads the /proc/net/route file to show destination, gateway, netmask, and interface information. This makes it a valid and commonly used command for viewing the routing table on Linux.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
route -n
Why this is correct
Displays routing table numerically.
- ✗
ss -r
Why it's wrong here
ss does not have -r option.
- ✗
ip link show
Why it's wrong here
Shows link layer info, not routing table.
- ✓
ip route show
Why this is correct
Displays routing table via iproute2.
- ✗
netstat -r
Why it's wrong here
Also displays routing table, but not listed as an option; actually it is not in the list.
Visual reference
Go deeper
Related to this question
About these practice questions
Courseiva writes every LPIC-2 question from scratch — 507 in total, each with an explanation and a wrong-answer breakdown. None are copied from real exams or dumps. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
JA
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.