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 runs Samba on a Linux server to provide file shares to Windows clients. The server is also a BIND DNS server. After a recent OS upgrade, the Samba service fails to start with the error: 'Failed to create a listening socket for port 445: Permission denied'. The administrator checks that no other service is using port 445. smbd is configured to start as root. What is the most likely cause?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
SELinux is blocking the Samba port.
Option C is correct because SELinux, when enforcing, can block Samba from binding to privileged ports like 445 even when the service runs as root. The error 'Permission denied' on port 445, despite no other service using it and the firewall being open, strongly indicates SELinux is denying the bind. The SELinux boolean 'samba_port_t' or the specific port context must be enabled or relabeled for Samba to bind to port 445.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
The firewall is blocking the port even though it's internal.
Why it's wrong here
Firewall rules do not produce a socket 'Permission denied' error; they drop packets.
✗
The 'socket address' parameter is set to an invalid IP.
Why it's wrong here
This would cause 'cannot assign requested address', not permission denied.
✓
SELinux is blocking the Samba port.
Why this is correct
SELinux policies may prevent binding to port 445; check with 'sealert' or disable SELinux to test.
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.
✗
The Samba netbios name is too long.
Why it's wrong here
Netbios name length does not affect socket creation.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often assume a 'Permission denied' error on a port must be caused by a firewall or another service already binding the port, overlooking SELinux's mandatory access control which can deny the bind even when the port is free and the process runs as root.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
SELinux uses type enforcement to control which processes can bind to specific ports. Port 445 (Microsoft-DS) is labeled with the 'samba_port_t' type, and the smbd daemon must have the 'samba_t' domain with the 'name_bind' permission for that port. After an OS upgrade, SELinux policies may be reset or updated, requiring the administrator to run 'semanage port -a -t samba_port_t -p tcp 445' or set the boolean 'samba_enable_home_dirs' if applicable. The 'Permission denied' error is a classic symptom of SELinux blocking a bind, not a firewall or configuration issue.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
File Sharing and Samba — This question tests File Sharing and Samba — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: SELinux is blocking the Samba port. — Option C is correct because SELinux, when enforcing, can block Samba from binding to privileged ports like 445 even when the service runs as root. The error 'Permission denied' on port 445, despite no other service using it and the firewall being open, strongly indicates SELinux is denying the bind. The SELinux boolean 'samba_port_t' or the specific port context must be enabled or relabeled for Samba to bind to port 445.
What should I do if I get this LPIC-2 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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