This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of file sharing and samba. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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.
A company recently upgraded their Samba server from version 4.8 to 4.13. Users report that they can connect to shares but cannot write files. The Samba team verified that the share configuration has 'writable = yes' and the Linux filesystem permissions are correct (777). Which global parameter is most likely causing the issue?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
security = user
Why wrong: security = user is the default and does not prevent writes.
server min protocol = SMB2_02
Setting a minimum protocol may cause SMB1 clients to fail write operations if the server does not support SMB1.
map to guest = Bad User
Why wrong: This affects guest access, not write permissions for authenticated users.
workgroup = EXAMPLE
Why wrong: Workgroup is only for NetBIOS browsing, not file write permissions.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
server min protocol = SMB2_02
The correct answer is B because Samba 4.13 defaults to requiring SMB3_11 as the minimum protocol, but the client may be negotiating SMB2_02 or higher. With 'server min protocol = SMB2_02', Samba allows SMB2 connections, which lack the durable handle and lease support needed for write operations in certain configurations, or the client may be using an older SMB dialect that does not support the required write semantics. The upgrade from 4.8 to 4.13 changed the default minimum protocol from SMB2_02 to SMB3_11, and setting it explicitly to SMB2_02 can cause write failures if the client or share relies on SMB3 features like persistent handles or encryption.
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.
security = user
Why it's wrong here
security = user is the default and does not prevent writes.
server min protocol = SMB2_02
Why this is correct
Setting a minimum protocol may cause SMB1 clients to fail write operations if the server does not support SMB1.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
map to guest = Bad User
Why it's wrong here
This affects guest access, not write permissions for authenticated users.
workgroup = EXAMPLE
Why it's wrong here
Workgroup is only for NetBIOS browsing, not file write permissions.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates assume 'writable = yes' and correct filesystem permissions are sufficient, overlooking that Samba's protocol version defaults changed between major releases, causing write failures due to missing SMB3 features.
Detailed technical explanation
Samba's 'server min protocol' parameter controls the minimum SMB protocol dialect that the server will accept; in Samba 4.13, the default changed from SMB2_02 to SMB3_11. If a client connects using SMB2_02, it may lack support for SMB3 features like durable handles, leases, or encryption, which can cause write operations to fail if the share or filesystem expects those features. Real-world scenarios include Windows 10 clients that negotiate SMB3.0 by default but may fall back to SMB2.02 if the server advertises only SMB2, leading to silent write failures.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A practitioner preparing for the LPIC-2 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
What to study next
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FAQ
File Sharing and Samba — This question tests File Sharing and Samba — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: server min protocol = SMB2_02 — The correct answer is B because Samba 4.13 defaults to requiring SMB3_11 as the minimum protocol, but the client may be negotiating SMB2_02 or higher. With 'server min protocol = SMB2_02', Samba allows SMB2 connections, which lack the durable handle and lease support needed for write operations in certain configurations, or the client may be using an older SMB dialect that does not support the required write semantics. The upgrade from 4.8 to 4.13 changed the default minimum protocol from SMB2_02 to SMB3_11, and setting it explicitly to SMB2_02 can cause write failures if the client or share relies on SMB3 features like persistent handles or encryption.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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