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 Samba share is configured with 'browseable = yes' but Windows clients cannot see it in the network list. However, they can access it by typing the UNC path directly. Which parameter is most likely misconfigured?
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.
os level
Why wrong: This influences master browser elections, but local master is more direct.
netbios name
Why wrong: This sets the server's NetBIOS name, already correct.
local master
This controls whether the server attempts to become the local master browser.
server string
Why wrong: This sets the server description, not browseability.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
local master
The 'local master' parameter controls whether the Samba server participates in the election for the local master browser on the subnet. If set to 'no', the Samba server will not become the master browser, and Windows clients rely on the master browser to populate the network list. Since clients can access the share via UNC path but not see it in the network list, the browsing service is failing, which is directly tied to the local master setting.
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.
os level
Why it's wrong here
This influences master browser elections, but local master is more direct.
netbios name
Why it's wrong here
This sets the server's NetBIOS name, already correct.
local master
Why this is correct
This controls whether the server attempts to become the local master browser.
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.
server string
Why it's wrong here
This sets the server description, not browseability.
Common exam traps
LPI often tests the distinction between 'browseable' (which controls visibility of individual shares) and 'local master' (which controls the server's presence in the network browse list), causing candidates to confuse share-level visibility with server-level browsing.
Detailed technical explanation
Samba uses the NetBIOS over TCP/IP (NBT) protocol for browsing, relying on a master browser to maintain a list of available servers. The 'local master' parameter (default 'yes') allows the Samba server to become the local master browser; if set to 'no', the server will not participate in browser elections and will not be advertised in the browse list. In real-world scenarios, this often occurs when multiple Samba servers are on the same subnet and one is intentionally set as a non-browser, but if all are set to 'no', no master browser exists and the network list remains empty.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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: local master — The 'local master' parameter controls whether the Samba server participates in the election for the local master browser on the subnet. If set to 'no', the Samba server will not become the master browser, and Windows clients rely on the master browser to populate the network list. Since clients can access the share via UNC path but not see it in the network list, the browsing service is failing, which is directly tied to the local master setting.
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 30, 2026
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