This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of network client management. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 TWO commands can be used to query a DHCP server's lease database on a Linux server running ISC DHCP? (Assume default paths.) (Select two.)
dhcpd -t
Why wrong: Tests configuration syntax, does not query leases.
cat /var/lib/dhcp/dhcpd.leases
Lease database file.
dhcp-lease-list
Command to list leases.
less /etc/dhcp/dhcpd.conf
Why wrong: Configuration file, not lease database.
dhcpd -p
Why wrong: Sets port, does not query leases.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
cat /var/lib/dhcp/dhcpd.leases
Option B is correct because the ISC DHCP server stores its lease database in a plain-text file at `/var/lib/dhcp/dhcpd.leases` by default. Reading this file with `cat` directly displays all active and expired leases, including IP addresses, MAC addresses, and lease durations. Option C is correct because `dhcp-lease-list` is a utility that parses the same lease file and presents the data in a formatted, human-readable table.
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.
dhcpd -t
Why it's wrong here
Tests configuration syntax, does not query leases.
cat /var/lib/dhcp/dhcpd.leases
Why this is correct
Lease database file.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
dhcp-lease-list
Why this is correct
Command to list leases.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
less /etc/dhcp/dhcpd.conf
Why it's wrong here
Configuration file, not lease database.
dhcpd -p
Why it's wrong here
Sets port, does not query leases.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse the lease database file with the configuration file, or assume that command-line flags like `-t` or `-p` are used for lease queries, when in fact they serve entirely different purposes (syntax testing and port selection).
Detailed technical explanation
The ISC DHCP server writes lease entries to `/var/lib/dhcp/dhcpd.leases` in a structured text format, including timestamps for start, end, and last renewal. The `dhcp-lease-list` command (often provided by the `dhcp-lease-list` package) reads this file and formats output using columns like MAC address, IP, hostname, and lease state. In real-world scenarios, administrators may need to quickly identify which client holds a specific IP during troubleshooting, and these two methods avoid parsing raw binary or database files.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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FAQ
Network Client Management — This question tests Network Client Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: cat /var/lib/dhcp/dhcpd.leases — Option B is correct because the ISC DHCP server stores its lease database in a plain-text file at `/var/lib/dhcp/dhcpd.leases` by default. Reading this file with `cat` directly displays all active and expired leases, including IP addresses, MAC addresses, and lease durations. Option C is correct because `dhcp-lease-list` is a utility that parses the same lease file and presents the data in a formatted, human-readable table.
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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