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 uses Samba to share files from a Linux server to Windows clients. After upgrading Samba from version 4.10 to 4.15, some users report they cannot access shares and receive 'Access denied' errors. The smb.conf has been verified and seems correct. 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
✓
The 'ntlm auth' parameter is set to 'no' in the new version.
Starting with Samba 4.11, the default value of the 'ntlm auth' parameter changed from 'yes' to 'no'. This disables NTLMv1 authentication, which many legacy Windows clients or configurations still rely on. Even though the smb.conf appears correct, the new default silently blocks NTLMv1, causing 'Access denied' errors after the upgrade.
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 SMB ports.
Why it's wrong here
Firewall blocks would cause connection timeouts, not access denied.
✗
The users' passwords are too short.
Why it's wrong here
Password length is not a typical cause of access denied after upgrade.
✓
The 'ntlm auth' parameter is set to 'no' in the new version.
Why this is correct
Newer Samba versions default ntlm auth to no, breaking older clients.
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 service is not running after upgrade.
Why it's wrong here
Service not running would cause 'network path not found', not access denied.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume the upgrade preserved all default settings, but Samba silently changes critical security defaults between major versions, and the 'Access denied' error is easily misattributed to firewall or service issues.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
NTLMv1 is a legacy challenge-response authentication protocol vulnerable to relay attacks. Samba 4.11+ defaults to 'ntlm auth = no', forcing clients to use NTLMv2 or Kerberos. Administrators upgrading from older versions must explicitly set 'ntlm auth = yes' in the [global] section of smb.conf if legacy clients require NTLMv1. This is a common migration pitfall because the change is not logged as an error, only as a denied authentication.
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 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
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: The 'ntlm auth' parameter is set to 'no' in the new version. — Starting with Samba 4.11, the default value of the 'ntlm auth' parameter changed from 'yes' to 'no'. This disables NTLMv1 authentication, which many legacy Windows clients or configurations still rely on. Even though the smb.conf appears correct, the new default silently blocks NTLMv1, causing 'Access denied' errors after the upgrade.
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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