LPIC-2 Network Client Management Practice Question
An administrator configures an NIS client by running 'ypbind' and updating /etc/nsswitch.conf to include 'nis' for passwd, shadow, and group. However, 'getent passwd' still shows only local users. Which step is most likely missing?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers assume updating nsswitch.conf alone is sufficient, overlooking the mandatory /etc/yp.conf configuration that ypbind requires to discover and bind to an NIS server.
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
✓
Edit /etc/yp.conf to specify the NIS server's domain and address.
The NIS client must know which NIS server to contact for domain information. This is configured in /etc/yp.conf, which specifies the NIS domain name and the server's hostname or IP address. Without this file, ypbind cannot locate a server, so getent falls back to local sources despite nsswitch.conf listing 'nis'.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Restart the ypserv service on the client.
Why it's wrong here
ypserv is the server service, not run on client.
- ✗
Execute 'yppasswd' to initialize NIS client.
Why it's wrong here
Only changes user password.
- ✓
Edit /etc/yp.conf to specify the NIS server's domain and address.
Why this is correct
ypbind needs this to locate the server.
- ✗
Run 'make -C /var/yp' on the client.
Why it's wrong here
That rebuilds NIS maps on the server.
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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.