This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of file sharing and samba. This is a configuration task: choose the command set that satisfies every stated requirement. Small differences — like 'secret' vs 'password' or 'transport input ssh' vs 'all' — change whether the answer is correct. 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 requires that users must provide valid credentials, but the share should be accessible to any authenticated user without further restrictions. Which security mode should be used?
security = domain
Why wrong: This is for authenticating against a domain controller.
security = server
Why wrong: This is an older method for authenticating against another SMB server.
security = share
Why wrong: This deprecated mode may allow anonymous access.
security = user
This requires valid credentials for each connection.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
security = user
The `security = user` mode requires each user to provide valid credentials (username and password) to access the share, but once authenticated, the share is accessible without further per-share restrictions. This matches the requirement exactly: authentication is mandatory, but authorization is not granularly controlled per share beyond the user's identity.
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 = domain
Why it's wrong here
This is for authenticating against a domain controller.
security = server
Why it's wrong here
This is an older method for authenticating against another SMB server.
security = share
Why it's wrong here
This deprecated mode may allow anonymous access.
security = user
Why this is correct
This requires valid credentials for each connection.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates confuse 'authentication' with 'authorization' and assume `security = share` is correct because it sounds like 'sharing without restrictions,' but `security = share` actually bypasses user-level authentication entirely.
Detailed technical explanation
In `security = user`, Samba authenticates users against the local `smbpasswd` file or an LDAP backend, and the share's `valid users` or `invalid users` parameters can further restrict access, but by default any authenticated user can access the share. This mode is the most common for standalone Samba servers and is the default in modern Samba versions (4.x). A real-world scenario is a file server in a small office where all employees must log in but have equal access to a shared folder.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A junior network technician can log in to a core router but cannot reach the enable prompt or configuration mode. The AAA server is authenticating the login — but the authorisation policy only grants privilege level 1, not 15. Authentication (who you are) is working; authorisation (what you can do) is not.
What to study next
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
File Sharing and Samba — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
File Sharing and Samba practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All LPIC-2 questions
511 questions across all exam domains
Linux Professional Institute Certification Level 2 LPIC-2 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
LPIC-2 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to Linux Kernel and System Startup.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to Advanced Networking Configuration.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to DNS, Web and Mail Services.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to File Sharing and Samba.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to System Security.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to Network Client Management.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to LPIC-2 fundamentals.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to LPIC-2 scenario.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to LPIC-2 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: security = user — The `security = user` mode requires each user to provide valid credentials (username and password) to access the share, but once authenticated, the share is accessible without further per-share restrictions. This matches the requirement exactly: authentication is mandatory, but authorization is not granularly controlled per share beyond the user's identity.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.