Junior Level Linux Professional (LPIC-1)

Status: Available now. First published January 11, 2000; latest revision published August 2006
the first IT certification program to be professionally accredited by National Commission For Certifying Agencies (NCCA )

Pre-Requisites: None

Requirements: Passing Exams 101 and 102

• Overview of Tasks: To pass Level 1 someone should be able to:
• Work at the Linux command line
• Perform easy maintenance tasks: help out users, add users to a larger system, backup & restore, shutdown & reboot
• Install and configure a workstation (including X) and connect it to a LAN, or a stand-alone PC via modem to the Internet.

Exam 101: Tasks and Sample Questions

LPI Level 1 Exam 101 tests basic capabilities in these areas:

• Hardware & Architecture
• Linux Installation & Package Management
• GNU & Unix commands
• Devices, Linux File systems, File system Hierarchy Standard
• The X Window System

Sample Questions

The following are sample questions relating to LPI Exam 101. None of these items actually appear on the real exam, but they were actual submissions and are representative of the types of questions and the content covered by the exam. Please note however that the items below are flawed in some way and have been rejected; they are presented only as an illustration.

OBJECTIVE: 1.3.1 TYPE: mc

If you wanted to turn off mail notification, what command would you use?
1. biff n2. mesg n3. mesg off4. notify off5. set notify=off

OBJECTIVE: 1.3.1 TYPE: mcma

Which of these commands could you use to show one page of output at a time?

1. more2. less3. sed4. pause5. grep

OBJECTIVE: 1.3.3 TYPE: mcma

Which commands will give you information about how much disk space each file in the current directory uses?

1. ls -l2. ls -la3. du .4. ls -a5. ls

OBJECTIVE: 1.3.4 TYPE: mc

What command would send the output of cmd1 to the input of cmd2?

1. cmd1 cmd22. cmd1 cmd23. cmd1 && cmd24. cmd1 ; cmd25. cmd1 cmd2

OBJECTIVE: 1.3.5 TYPE: mc

Under the bash shell, when a command is running, pressing control-Z will usually

1. suspend the foreground task.2. adds an EOF to the file.3. kill the command running in the foreground4. move the foreground task into the background5. log the user off

OBJECTIVE: 1.8.1 TYPE: mc

What is the 'man' command used for?

1. to display information about the syntax for a command2. it is the replacement for the 'boy' command3. it is a standard alias to 'ls -la more'4. it is used to display formatted html pages

OBJECTIVE: 2.11.2 TYPE: mc

Under the bash shell which is the most appropriate place to set environment variables that apply to all users?

1. /etc/profile2. rc.local3. rc.sysinit4. /etc/skel5. /etc/bashrc

OBJECTIVE: 2.11.4 TYPE: mc

Which statement describes the cron daemon?

1. Manages scheduling of routine system tasks2. Manages all incoming connections and spawns off child processes3. Is responsible for file sharing across a network4. Manages the printing subsystem5. Keeps track of system messages and errors

OBJECTIVE: 2.4.1 TYPE: mcma

Which of the following are valid block devices on most default linux distributions?

1. hard disks2. loopback devices3. serial ports4. virtual terminals5. tape devices

OBJECTIVE: 2.4.2 TYPE: mc

How can you best see how much free space you have in your current directory?

1. Use df .2. Use df3. Use du /4. Use du .5. Use df /

OBJECTIVE: 2.4.8 TYPE: mc

Which command will update the slocate database as a background process?

1. updatedb &2. slocate --updatedb &3. slocatedb4. slocate --start &5. slocate --update &

OBJECTIVE: 2.6.2 TYPE: mc

Having booted into run level 3, how would you change to run level 5 without rebooting?

1. telinit 52. startx3. run 54. ALT-F7-55. setinit 5

Exam 101: Detailed Objectives

This is a required exam for LPIC-1 or LPI certification Level 1. It covers basic skills for the Linux professional that are common across all distributions of Linux.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION:

These are the current 101 objectives, which are valid effective 2006-01-01. The 101 exams which are delivered through test centers all over the world, will reflect these updated objectives for English in early 2006 and all other languages by late 2006/early 2007. Candidates should be prepared to take exams based upon these objectives after 2006.

Each objective is assigned a weighting value. The weights range roughly from 1 to 10 and indicate the relative importance of each objective. Objectives with higher weights will be covered in the exam with more questions.

Topic 101: Hardware & Architecture

1.101.1 Configure Fundamental BIOS SettingsComment this objective!Weight: 1

Description:

Candidates should be able to configure fundamental system hardware by making the correct settings in the system BIOS in x86 based hardware.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Enable and disable integrated peripherals.
• Configure systems with or without external peripherals such as keyboards.
• Correctly set IRQ, DMA and I/O addresses for all BIOS administrated ports and settings for error handling.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• /proc/ioports
• /proc/interrupts
• /proc/dma
• /proc
• /pci

1.101.3 Configure Modem and Sound cardsComment this objective!Weight: 1

Description:

Candidates should be able to configure modem and soundcard settings.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Ensure devices meet compatibility requirements (particularly that the modem is not an unsupported win-modem).
• Verify that correct resources are used by the cards.
• Configure modem for outbound dial-up.
• Set serial port speeds.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• /proc/dma
• /proc/interrupts
• /proc/ioports
• /proc/pcilspci
• lsusb

1.101.4 Setup non-IDE DevicesComment this objective!Weight: 1

Description:

Candidates should be able to configure non-IDE devices as SCSI, SATA, USB drives using the special BIOS as well as the necessary Linux tools.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Differentiate between the various types of non-IDE devices.
• Manipulate BIOS to detect used and available SCSI IDs.
• Set the correct hardware ID for different devices, especially the boot device.
• Configure BIOS settings to control the boot sequence when both non-IDE and IDE devices are present.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• SCSI ID
• /proc/scsi/
• scsi_info

1.101.5 Setup different PC expansion cardsComment this objective!Weight: 3

Description:

Candidates should be able to configure various cards for the various expansion slots.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Know the differences between coldplug and hotplug devices.
• Determine hardware recources for devices.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• The appropriate subdirectories of /prochotplug configuration files, terms and utilitieslspcilsusb

1.101.6 Configure Communication DevicesComment this objective!Weight: 1

Description:

Candidates should be able to install and configure different internal and external communication devices like modems, ISDN adapters and DSL modems.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Verification of compatibility requirements (such as the modem is not a winmodem).
• Correctly set IRQs, DMAs and I/OPorts of the cards to avoid conflicts between devices.
• Load and configure suitable device drivers.
• Set serial port speed.
• Setup modem for outbound PPP connections.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• /proc/dma
• /proc/interrupts
• /proc/ioport
• ssetserial

1.101.7 Configure USB devicesComment this objective!Weight: 1

Description:

Candidates should be able to activate USB support, use and configure different USB devices.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Identify and load the correct USB driver module.
• Demonstrate knowledge of the USB layer architecture and the modules used in the different layers.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• lspci
• xHCI module
• slsusb
• /etc/usbmgr
• /usbmodules
• /etc/hotplugudev
• configuration files, utilities and documentation

Topic 102: Linux Installation & Package Management

1.102.1 Design hard disk layoutComment this objective!Weight: 5

Description:

Candidates should be able to design a disk partitioning scheme for a Linux system.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Allocate filesystems and swap space to separate partitions or disks.
• Tailor the design to the intended use of the system.
• Ensure the /boot partition conforms to the BIOS requirements for booting.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• / (root) filesystem
• /var filesystem
• /home filesystem
• swap space
• mount points
• partitions

1.102.2 Install a boot managerComment this objective!Weight: 1

Description:

Candidates should be able to select, install and configure a boot manager.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Providing alternative boot locations and backup boot options (for example, using a boot floppy or a bootable CDROM).
• Install and configure a boot loader such as GRUB or LILO.
• Interact with the boot loader.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• /boot/grub/grub.conf
• /boot/grub/menu.lst
• grub-install
• MBR
• superblock
• first stage boot loader
• /etc/lilo.conf
• lilo

1.102.3 Make and install programs from sourceComment this objective!Weight: 5

Description:

Candidates should be able to build and install an executable program from source. This objective includes being able to unpack a file of sources. Candidates should be able to make simple customizations to the Makefile, for example changing paths or adding extra include directories, either in the raw Makefile or using the configure tools.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Unpack a file of sources using typical compression utilities.
• Make simple customizations to Makefile such as changing paths or adding extra include directories.
• Apply parameters to a configure script.
• Know where sources are stored by default.
• Compile a RPM or DPKG software package using sources.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• RPM and DPKG commands
• /usr/src/
• gunzip
• gzip
• bzip2
• tar
• configure
• make

1.102.4 Manage shared librariesComment this objective!Weight: 3

Description:

Candidates should be able to determine the shared libraries that executable programs depend on and install them when necessary.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Identify shared libraries.Identify the typical locations of system libraries.
• Load shared libraries.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• ldd
• ldconfig
• /etc/ld.so.conf
• LD_LIBRARY_PATH

1.102.5 Use Debian package managementComment this objective!Weight: 8

Description:

Candidates should be able to perform package management using the Debian package tools.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Install, upgrade and uninstall Debian binary packages.
• Find packages containing specific files or libraries which may or may not be installed.
• Obtain package information like version, content, dependencies, package integrity and installation status (whether or not the package is installed).

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• unpack
• configure
• /etc/dpkg/dpkg.cfg
• /var/lib/dpkg/*
• /etc/apt/apt.conf
• /etc/apt/sources.list
• dpkg
• dselect
• dpkg-reconfigure
• apt-get
• alien

1.102.6 Use Red Hat Package Manager (RPM)Comment this objective!Weight: 8

Description:

Candidates should be able to perform package management using RPM based tools.
Key knowledge area(s):Install, re-install, upgrade and remove RPM packages.Obtain information on RPM packages such as version, status, dependencies, integrity and signatures.Determine what files a package provides, as well as find which package a specific file comes from.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• /etc/rpmrc
• /usr/lib/rpm/*
• rpm
• grep

Topic: 103 GNU & Unix Commands

1.103.1 Work on the command line Comment this objective!Weight: 5

Description:

Candidates should be able to interact with shells and commands using the command line. The objective assumes the bash shell.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Use single shell commands and one line command sequences to perform basic tasks on the command line.
• Use and modify the shell environment including defining, referencing and exporting environment variables.Use and edit command history.
• Invoke commands inside and outside the defined path.
• Use commands recursively through a directory tree.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• bash
• echo
• env
• exec
• export
• pwd
• set
• unset
• ~/.bash_history
• ~/.profile

1.103.2 Process text streams using filtersComment this objective!Weight: 6

Description:

Candidates should should be able to apply filters to text streams.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Send text files and output streams through text utility filters to modify the output using standard UNIX commands found in the GNU textutils package.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• cat
• cut
• expand
• fmt
• head
• hex
• dump
• join
• nl
• paste
• pr
• sed
• sort
• split
• tac
• tail
• tr
• unexpand
• uniq
• wc

1.103.3 Perform basic file managementComment this objective!Weight: 3

Description:

Candidates should be able to use the basic Linux commands to manage files and directories.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Copy, move and remove files and directories individually.
• Copy multiple files and directories recursively.
• Remove files and directories recursively.
• Use simple and advanced wildcard specifications in commands.
• Using find to locate and act on files based on type, size, or time.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• cpfind
• mkdir
• mv
• ls
• rm
• rmdir
• touchfile
• globbing

1.103.4 Use streams, pipes and redirectsComment this objective!Weight: 5

Description:

Candidates should be able to redirect streams and connect them in order to efficiently process textual data. Tasks include redirecting standard input, standard output and standard error, piping the output of one command to the input of another command, using the output of one command as arguments to another command and sending output to both stdout and a file.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Redirecting standard input, standard output and standard error.
• Pipe the output of one command to the input of another command.
• Use the output of one command as arguments to another command.
• Send output to both stdout and a file.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• tee
• xarg
• <
• <<
• >>
• ` (back ticks)

1.103.5 Create, monitor and kill processesComment this objective!Weight: 5

Description:

Candidates should be able to perform basic process management.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Run jobs in the foreground and background.
• Start a process that will run without being associated to a terminal.
• Signal a program to continue running after logout.
• Monitor active processes.
• Select and sort processes for display.
• Send signals to processes.
• Kill processes including processes that did not terminate correctly after an X session has closed.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• &
• bg
• fg
• jobs
• kill
• nohup
• ps
• topkillall

1.103.6 Modify process execution prioritiesComment this objective!Weight: 3

Description:

Candidates should be able to manage process execution priorities.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Know the default priority of a job that is created.
• Run a program with higher or lower priority than the default.
• Change the priority of a running process.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• nice
• ps
• renice
• top

1.103.7 Search text files using regular expressionsComment this objective!Weight: 3

Description:

Candidates should be able to manipulate files and text data using regular expressions. This objective includes creating simple regular expressions containing several notational elements. It also includes using regular expression tools to perform searches through a filesystem or file content.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Create simple regular expressions containing several notational elements.
• Use regular expression tools to perform searches through a filesystem or file content.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• grep
• sed

1.103.8 Perform basic file editing operations using viComment this objective!Weight: 1

Description:

Candidates should be able to edit text files using vi. This objective includes vi navigation, basic vi modes, inserting, editing, deleting, copying and finding text.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Navigate a document using vi.
• Use basic vi modes (Command, Insert, Replace).
• Insert, edit, delete, copy and find text.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• vi
• /,
• ?h,
• j,
• k,
• lG,
• H,
• Li,
• c,
• d, dd,
• p, o,
• aZZ, :w!, :q!, :e!:!

Topic 104: Devices, Linux Filesystems, Filesystem Hierarchy Standard

1.104.1 Create partitions and filesystemsComment this objective!Weight: 3

Description:

Candidates should be able to configure disk partitions and then create filesystems on media such as hard disks. This includes the handling of swap partitions.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Use various mkfs commands to set up partitions and create various filesystems, including ext2, ext3, reiserfs, vfat and xfs.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• fdisk
• mkfs
• mkswap

1.104.2 Maintain the integrity of filesystemsComment this objective!Weight: 3

Description:

Candidates should be able to maintain a standard filesystem, as well as the extra data associated with a journaling filesystem.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Verify the integrity of filesystems.
• Monitor free space and inodes.
• Repair simple filesystem problems.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• du
• df
• fsck
• e2fsck
• mke2fs
• debugfs
• dumpe2fs
• tune2fs

1.104.3 Control mounting and unmounting filesystemsComment this objective!Weight: 3

Description:

Candidates should be able to configure the mounting of a filesystem.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Manually mount and unmount filesystems.
• Configure filesystem mounting on bootup.
• Configure user mountable removeable filesystems such as tape drives, floppies and CDROMs.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• /etc/fstab
• mount
• umount

1.104.4 Managing disk quotaComment this objective!Weight: 3

Description:

Candidates should be able to manage disk quotas for users.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Set up a disk quota for a filesystem.
• Edit, check and generate user quota reports.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• quota
• edquota
• repquota
• quotaon

1.104.5 Use file permissions to control access to filesComment this objective!Weight: 5

Description:

Candidates should be able to control file access through the proper use of permissions.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Manage access permissions on regular and special files as well as directories.
• Use access modes such as suid, sgid and the sticky bit to maintain security.
• Use the group field to grant file access to workgroups.
• Basic knowledge of ACL.
• Know how to change the default file creation mode of the shell.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• chmod
• umask
• chattr (where applicable)

1.104.6 Manage file ownershipComment this objective!Weight: 1

Description:

Candidates should be able to control user and group ownership of files. This objective includes the ability to change the user and group owner of a file as well as the default group owner for new files.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Manage access permissions on regular and special files as well as directories.
• Use the group field to grant file access to workgroups.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• chmod
• chown
• chgrp

1.104.7 Create and change hard and symbolic linksComment this objective!Weight: 1

Description:

Candidates should be able to create and manage hard and symbolic links to a file.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Create links.
• Identify hard and/or softlinks.
• Copying versus linking files.
• Use links to support system administration tasks.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• ln

1.104.8 Find system files and place files in the correct locationComment this objective!Weight: 5

Description:

Candidates should be thouroughly familiar with the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard (FHS), including typical file locations and directory classifications.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Understand the correct locations of files under the FHS.
• Find files and commands on a Linux system.
• Know the location and propose of important file and directories as defined in the FHS.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• find
• locate
• slocate
• updatedb
• whereis
• which
• /etc/updatedb.conf

Topic 110: The X Window System

1.110.1 Install & Configure X11Comment this objective!Weight: 5

Description:

Candidates should be able to install and configure X and an X font server.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Verify that the video card and monitor are supported by an X server.
• Customize and tune X for the videocard and monitor.
• Install and configure an X font server.
• Install fonts.
• Manually edit the X Window configuration file.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• xorgcfg
• xorgconfig
• /etc/X11/xorg.conf XF86Setup
• xf86configxvidtune
• /etc/X11/XF86Config
• .Xresources

1.110.2 Setup a display managerComment this objective!Weight: 3

Description:

Candidates should be able setup and customize a display manager. This objective covers the display managers XDM (X Display Manger), GDM (Gnome Display Manager) and KDM (KDE Display Manager).

Key knowledge area(s):

• Turn the display manager on or off.
• Change the display manager greeting.
• Change default color depth for the display manager.
• Configure display managers for use by X-stations.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• /etc/inittab
• /etc/X11/xdm/*
• /etc/X11/kdm/*
• /etc/X11/gdm/*

1.110.4 Install & Customize a Window Manager EnvironmentComment this objective!Weight: 5

Description:

Candidates should be able to customize a system-wide desktop environment and/or window manager.

Key knowledge area(s):

• Demonstrate an understanding of customization procedures for window manager menus and/or desktop panel menus.
• Select and configuring the desired x-terminal (xterm, rxvt, aterm etc.).Verify and resolve library dependency issues for X applications.
• Export the X-display to a client workstation.

The following is a partial list of the used files, terms and utilities:

• .xinitrc
• .Xdefaults
• xhost
• DISPLAY environment variable

Exam 102: Tasks and Sample Questions

LPI Level 1 exam 102 tests basic capabilities in these areas:

• Kernel
• Boot, Initialization, Shutdown and Runlevels
• Printing
• Documentation
• Shells, Scripting, Programming, and Compiling
• Administrative Tasks
• Networking Fundamentals
• Networking Services
• Security
• Sample Questions

The following are sample questions relating to LPI Exam 102. None of these items actually appear on the real exam, but they were actual submissions and are representative of the types of questions and the content covered by the exam. Please note however that the items below are flawed in some way and have been rejected; they are presented only as an illustration.

OBJECTIVE: 1.1.1 TYPE: mc

Which command is used to change settings on IDE hard disk drives?

1. hdparm2. hddparm3. diskparm4. hdparam5. ideconfig

OBJECTIVE: 1.12.1 TYPE: mc

Your logfile shows repeated connections to TCP port 143. Which named service is being accessed?

1. imap2. smbd3. nmbd4. pop25. smtp

OBJECTIVE: 1.12.1 TYPE: fitb

What type of packet does an IP ping use (provide acronym)?

1. ICMP

OBJECTIVE: 1.12.2 TYPE: mc

To learn more about the management of an Internet site, the best utility to use would be:

1. whois2. traceroute3. ping4. telnet5. rpcdump

OBJECTIVE: 1.12.3 TYPE: mc

If you had a Linux system routing 3 different Networks through 3 NICs and you were having trouble with your IP-Forwarding. Where would you look to ensure that IP-Forwarding is actually enabled?

1. cat /proc/sys/net/ipv4/ip_forward2. netstat3. cat /proc/net/tcp4. iptraf -d eth05. tail -f /var/log/messages

OBJECTIVE: 1.13.1 TYPE: mc

What file is used for associating port numbers to port names?

1. /etc/services2. /etc/hosts3. /etc/inetd.conf4. /etc/securetty5. /etc/ports

OBJECTIVE: 1.13.4 TYPE: mc

You want to make the directory /local available via NFS. All users on your local network should be allowed to read and write files. Which of the following is correct, assuming that your local network is 192.168.1.0, and your machine is part of the DNS domain foobar.com?

1. /local 192.168.1.0/255.255.255.0(rw)2. /local *.com(rw)3. 192.168.1.0 /local4. /local 192.168.1.0(rw)

Top OBJECTIVE: 1.14.1 TYPE: fitb

Which file can you create to prevent non-root users from logging into the system? (specify path and filename)

. /etc/nologin

OBJECTIVE: 1.14.2 TYPE: fitb

What command can be used to display a formatted output of the wtmp file? (no arguments)

1. last

OBJECTIVE: 1.14.3 TYPE: fitb

Which command can be executed by a user who is already logged into the system, in order to change to the root user? (type the command without any parameters)

1. su

OBJECTIVE: 1.7.2 TYPE: mc

To cause a particular print job to be printed next, regardless of its current position in the queue, what command would be used?

1. lpc topq2. lpc -t3. lpq -t4. lpq --next5. lpc move

OBJECTIVE: 1.7.2 TYPE: mc

Which statement describes the LPD daemon?

1. Manages the printing subsystem2. Manages all incoming connections and spawns off child processes3. Is responsible for file sharing across a network4. Manages scheduling of routine system tasks5. Keeps track of system messages and errors

OBJECTIVE: 2.10.4 TYPE: mc

When configuring a terminal for X what does the -fn switch do?

1. It sets the font size and or type for the terminal.2. It sets the terminal's default function.3. It places the terminal in the foreground on your screen.4. It sets the terminal's initial value to false.5. It sets the terminal's initial display to reverse video.

OBJECTIVE: 2.2.1 TYPE: mc

What command(s) do you use to create swap space?

1. mkswap2. activeswap3. swapon4. initswap5. mkfs -t swap

OBJECTIVE: 2.2.3 TYPE: fitb

Type the full command you could use to decompress the file "foo.gz"

1. gzip -d foo.gz2. gunzip -d foo.gz3. gunzip foo.gz4. unzip foo.gz5. decompress foo.gz

OBJECTIVE: 2.2.5 TYPE: mc

How can you add package information from a file Packages to the database of available Debian packages?

1. dpkg --merge-avail Packages2. dpkg --update-avail Packages3. dpkg --record-avail Packages4. dpkg -U Packages

OBJECTIVE: 2.2.6 TYPE: mc

You need to find out which package owns a file called /etc/paper.config. Which command will answer this question?

1. rpm -qf /etc/paper.config2. rpm -qagrep /etc/paper.config3. rpm -Fq /etc/paper.config4. rpm -q /etc/paper.config5. rpm --requires /etc/paper.config