LPIC-2 File Sharing and Samba Practice Question
A Samba server is configured to authenticate users against an Active Directory domain using winbind. After joining the domain, some users report that they cannot access shares, while others can. The administrator runs 'wbinfo -u' and sees a list of domain users. However, 'getent passwd' does not show domain users. Which configuration parameter is most likely missing or misconfigured in /etc/samba/smb.conf?
⚠ Common exam trap
Watch out — candidates often assume `wbinfo -u` and `getent passwd` should behave identically, but they do not realize that `wbinfo` bypasses NSS and directly queries winbind, while `getent` relies on NSS configuration and the `winbind enum users` parameter.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
winbind enum users = yes
The `wbinfo -u` command lists domain users because it queries the winbind daemon directly, which has successfully joined the AD domain. However, `getent passwd` does not show domain users because the Name Service Switch (NSS) module for winbind is not configured to enumerate users. The parameter `winbind enum users = yes` in smb.conf tells winbind to provide user enumeration to NSS, allowing commands like `getent passwd` to return domain users. Without this, the NSS winbind module will not list domain users, even though authentication may work for known users.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
winbind enum users = yes
Why this is correct
This enables getent passwd to list domain users.
- ✗
winbind use default domain = yes
Why it's wrong here
This controls whether the domain is prepended to usernames.
- ✗
winbind nested groups = yes
Why it's wrong here
This controls nested group support, not user enumeration.
- ✗
idmap config * : backend = tdb
Why it's wrong here
This sets the ID mapping backend, not enumeration.
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.