EX200 Operate running systems Practice Question
Which three network configuration methods are valid in RHEL 8/9?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many candidates confuse deprecated tools (like `ifconfig` and `system-config-network`) with valid configuration methods, or assume that any command that can set an IP address qualifies as a persistent network configuration method.
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
✓
/etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-* files
In RHEL 8/9, the traditional `/etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-*` files are still supported for backward compatibility, though NetworkManager is the default service. These files define interface configurations using variables like `DEVICE`, `BOOTPROTO`, and `ONBOOT`, and are read by the `ifup`/`ifdown` scripts or NetworkManager when configured to use them. This method remains valid for static or DHCP-based network setup without requiring a GUI.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
system-config-network
Why it's wrong here
system-config-network was a graphical and text-based tool used in RHEL 6 and earlier to manage network settings and write configuration files. It was removed from RHEL 8 and is not provided in RHEL 9, so it is unavailable on current systems. Because it no longer exists in the base distribution, it cannot be used as a valid network configuration method.
- ✓
/etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-* files
Why this is correct
The /etc/sysconfig/network-scripts/ifcfg-* files define persistent network interface settings such as IP addressing, boot protocol, and device name. While NetworkManager by default does not automatically manage interfaces configured only via these files, it can still read them, and they are recognized by the system as a valid legacy configuration mechanism. In fact, RHEL 8 and RHEL 9 continue to support ifcfg files, though they are deprecated in favor of NetworkManager keyfiles.
- ✓
nmcli
Why this is correct
nmcli is the command-line interface for NetworkManager, the default network management service in RHEL. It allows you to create, modify, view, delete, and activate connection profiles, and it is fully supported and recommended for both interactive and scripted configuration. Since NetworkManager is enabled by default, nmcli provides a reliable, persistent method that is tested on the RHCSA exam.
- ✓
ip command
Why this is correct
The ip command, provided by iproute2, is the standard low-level utility for configuring network interfaces and routing on modern Linux systems. It can assign IP addresses, bring interfaces up or down, and manage ARP tables and tunnels, making it a valid and actively maintained tool in RHEL. However, ip does not persist changes across reboots unless you also write configuration to a persistent mechanism, so it is used primarily for runtime tuning and troubleshooting.
- ✗
ifconfig
Why it's wrong here
The ifconfig utility is part of the deprecated net-tools package, which is considered legacy and is not maintained in current RHEL releases. It lacks support for features such as multiple IPv6 addresses per interface or detailed flag reporting, and its use is discouraged in favor of ip. Therefore it is not a valid configuration method for modern RHEL systems.
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