LPIC-2 Advanced Networking Configuration Practice Question
Which TWO network diagnostic steps should be performed to isolate a problem where a Linux server (IP 10.0.0.10/24) cannot reach a remote server (IP 192.168.1.50/24) while other hosts on the same subnet can reach it? Assume routing is properly configured.
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to assume a routing issue (Option A or C) when the problem is actually a local firewall or ARP issue, because the symptom 'cannot reach' is frequently misattributed to routing rather than to host-specific packet filtering or layer-2 resolution failures.
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
✓
Check iptables rules for any OUTPUT chain that might be dropping packets.
If the affected server can reach the remote server via other hosts on the same subnet, the issue is likely local to the affected server itself. Checking iptables rules on the OUTPUT chain can reveal whether a firewall rule is specifically dropping outbound packets destined for 192.168.1.50, which would not affect other hosts on the same subnet. This is a common cause of asymmetric connectivity problems where routing is otherwise properly configured.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Check the routing table on the remote server.
Why it's wrong here
The remote server is reachable from other hosts, so its routing is likely fine.
- ✗
Ping the remote server from another host on the same subnet to verify connectivity.
Why it's wrong here
The problem states that other hosts can reach it, so this step is unnecessary.
- ✗
Traceroute to the remote server from the affected server.
Why it's wrong here
While traceroute can help, the most direct isolation steps are ARP and firewall checks.
- ✓
Check iptables rules for any OUTPUT chain that might be dropping packets.
Why this is correct
Local firewall rules can block outbound traffic even if routing is correct.
- ✓
Verify the ARP cache on the server for the default gateway.
Why this is correct
If the ARP entry for the gateway is missing or wrong, the server cannot send packets out.
Visual reference
Quick reference
Asymmetric Encryption Algorithm Comparison
| Algorithm | Key Exchange | Signatures | Equivalent Security Key | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSA-3072 | Yes | Yes | 128-bit | Widely deployed; slow for bulk data |
| ECDSA P-256 | No | Yes | 128-bit | Fast signatures; standard TLS certs |
| ECDH / ECDHE | Yes | No | 128-bit | Perfect forward secrecy in TLS 1.3 |
| DH / DHE | Yes | No | 128-bit (3072-bit key) | Replaced by ECDHE in modern TLS |
| Ed25519 | No | Yes | ~128-bit | SSH keys, modern PKI |
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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.