When working with systems, networks, and various technical environments, administrators often rely on a variety of commands to collect and analyze data. However, these commands can sometimes be complex or nuanced, especially when trying to decipher output. In many exams or troubleshooting scenarios, you may come across questions such as, "Refer to the exhibit. Which command did an administrator issue to produce this output?" These types of questions assess an administrator’s ability to identify the correct command based on the output it generates.
This blog post will delve into understanding the types of commands administrators might issue to produce specific outputs. We will also explore common scenarios where such questions may appear, particularly in networking and system administration contexts. By breaking down these questions, we’ll help you understand how to identify commands and their corresponding outputs more effectively.
What Does “Refer to the Exhibit” Mean?
In many technical exams, especially in networking, system administration, and IT certifications, you will often encounter questions that start with "Refer to the exhibit." This means that you are being asked to analyze the output provided in a graphical or textual format (the exhibit). The exhibit could display logs, configurations, network routing tables, or other data types.
Once you’re asked to "refer to the exhibit," your task is to use that data to determine which command was issued to produce the output. This requires a good understanding of different systems and commands that can generate similar outputs.
For example, a common question might look something like this:
Question Example: Refer to the exhibit. Which command did an administrator issue to produce this output?
- A) show ip route
- B) show interfaces
- C) show running-config
- D) ping <IP_address>
The correct answer would depend entirely on the information provided in the exhibit.
Common Commands and Their Outputs
To answer such questions correctly, it’s important to be familiar with common commands and the type of output they produce. Below, we’ll review some of the most common commands administrators use, their function, and the type of output they typically generate.
1. show ip route
The show ip route command is widely used in networking. It displays the routing table of a device, showing how data is routed to various destinations. The output includes network destinations, the next hop, and routing protocols used.
Example Output:
S 10.0.0.0/24 [1/0] via 192.168.1.1, FastEthernet0/0
O 172.16.0.0/24 [110/2] via 192.168.2.1, FastEthernet0/1
This output would indicate the network routes, showing both static (S) and OSPF (O) routes.
2. show interfaces
The show interfaces command provides detailed information about the physical and logical interfaces on a device. It’s commonly used to troubleshoot connectivity issues by examining the status of interfaces, their IP addresses, and packet statistics.
Example Output:
FastEthernet0/0 is up, line protocol is up
Internet address is 192.168.1.1/24
MTU 1500 bytes, BW 100000 Kbit/sec
The output shows the interface’s status, IP address, and some other details like MTU and bandwidth.
3. show running-config
The show running-config command displays the current active configuration on a device. This is often used for troubleshooting or verifying configuration settings.
Example Output:
hostname Router
interface FastEthernet0/0
ip address 192.168.1.1 255.255.255.0
no shutdown
This shows the hostname and interface configuration of the router.
4. ping <IP_address>
The ping command is a diagnostic tool used to test connectivity to another network device. It sends packets to a specified IP address and measures the round-trip time it takes for the packets to return.
Example Output:
Pinging 192.168.1.1 with 32 bytes of data:
Reply from 192.168.1.1: bytes=32 time=4ms TTL=255
This output indicates a successful ping response from the target device.
Tips for Answering "Refer to the Exhibit" Questions
When you encounter questions that ask you to refer to the exhibit, follow these tips to identify the correct command:
- Look for Key Elements in the Output: Identify critical information in the output, such as IP addresses, network prefixes, interface names, or routing protocols. These can help you pinpoint the exact command.
- Know the Purpose of Each Command: Understand the primary function of commands. For example, if the exhibit shows a routing table, you know the correct command is likely show ip route.
- Process of Elimination: If you’re unsure of the correct answer, use the process of elimination. Remove options that don’t align with the output shown in the exhibit.
- Common Scenarios: Be prepared for common real-world scenarios like routing table analysis, troubleshooting interface issues, or verifying network connectivity. These are frequently tested in exams.
Conclusion
Understanding which command was issued to produce specific outputs is a fundamental skill for network administrators and system engineers. By becoming familiar with common commands like show ip route, show interfaces, and ping, and by practicing with multiple-choice questions similar to those provided in certification exams, you’ll improve your ability to analyze and interpret data quickly and accurately.
By mastering this skill, you’ll be well-prepared for exams that feature questions asking you to "refer to the exhibit" and identify the correct command based on the output provided. Additionally, always remember to study the typical outputs of these commands and understand the context in which they are used.
Sample Questions
Question 1:
Refer to the exhibit. Which command did an administrator issue to produce this output?
- A) show ip route
- B) show interfaces
- C) show running-config
- D) ping 192.168.1.1
Answer: A) show ip route
Explanation: The output shows routing information, including network destinations and next hop information, which is produced by the show ip route command.
Question 2:
Refer to the exhibit. Which command did an administrator issue to produce this output?
- A) show ip route
- B) show interfaces
- C) show running-config
- D) ping 192.168.1.1
Answer: B) show interfaces
Explanation: The output displays interface status, IP address, and interface statistics, which is characteristic of the show interfaces command.
Question 3:
Refer to the exhibit. Which command did an administrator issue to produce this output?
- A) show ip route
- B) show interfaces
- C) show running-config
- D) ping 192.168.1.1
Answer: C) show running-config
Explanation: The exhibit shows the active configuration of the device, including interface and hostname information, which is generated by the show running-config command.
