This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of file sharing and samba. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
An administrator is setting up a Samba share for a project team. The team members are in different UNIX groups. Which three options can be used to restrict access to specific users or groups? (Choose three.)
read list
Specifies users and groups that have read-only access.
write list
Why wrong: Controls write permission but does not restrict access.
force group
Why wrong: Sets the group for new files, not access restriction.
invalid users
Specifies users and groups denied access to the share.
valid users
Specifies users and groups allowed to access the share.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
read list
Option A (read list) is correct because it explicitly restricts read-only access to a list of users or groups, allowing the administrator to control which users can only read files in the Samba share. This is a direct Samba parameter that limits access to specific users or groups, even if they are in different UNIX groups.
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.
read list
Why this is correct
Specifies users and groups that have read-only access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
write list
Why it's wrong here
Controls write permission but does not restrict access.
force group
Why it's wrong here
Sets the group for new files, not access restriction.
invalid users
Why this is correct
Specifies users and groups denied access to the share.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
valid users
Why this is correct
Specifies users and groups allowed to access the share.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'write list' as a restriction mechanism, but it actually grants write access, not restricts it, while 'force group' is a red herring that deals with ownership, not access control.
Detailed technical explanation
Samba parameters like 'valid users', 'invalid users', and 'read list' are evaluated at connection time against the user's credentials. The 'read list' parameter overrides 'valid users' for read-only access, meaning a user in 'read list' but not in 'write list' will have read-only access even if they are in 'valid users'. This allows fine-grained control in mixed-group environments without modifying UNIX file permissions.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
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
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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: read list — Option A (read list) is correct because it explicitly restricts read-only access to a list of users or groups, allowing the administrator to control which users can only read files in the Samba share. This is a direct Samba parameter that limits access to specific users or groups, even if they are in different UNIX groups.
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.
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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.
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