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.
An administrator needs to configure Samba to use encrypted passwords via LDAP backend. The LDAP server is already set up with the necessary schema. Which passdb backend should be specified in smb.conf?
passdb backend = ldap:ldap://ldap.example.com
Why wrong: Should be ldapsam, not ldap.
passdb backend = secret:ldap://ldap.example.com
Why wrong: Invalid backend name.
passdb backend = sam:ldap://ldap.example.com
Why wrong: Invalid backend name.
passdb backend = ldapsam:ldap://ldap.example.com
Correct syntax for LDAP passdb backend.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
passdb backend = ldapsam:ldap://ldap.example.com
Option D is correct because the `ldapsam` passdb backend is the Samba module specifically designed to store and authenticate user accounts (including encrypted passwords) against an LDAP directory. The syntax `ldapsam:ldap://ldap.example.com` tells Samba to use the LDAP SAM (Security Account Manager) backend, which maps Samba's account attributes to LDAP entries using the standard Samba LDAP schema (e.g., sambaSamAccount).
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.
passdb backend = ldap:ldap://ldap.example.com
Why it's wrong here
Should be ldapsam, not ldap.
passdb backend = secret:ldap://ldap.example.com
Why it's wrong here
Invalid backend name.
passdb backend = sam:ldap://ldap.example.com
Why it's wrong here
Invalid backend name.
passdb backend = ldapsam:ldap://ldap.example.com
Why this is correct
Correct syntax for LDAP passdb backend.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates may recall that Samba uses 'ldap' as a general term for LDAP integration and incorrectly assume the backend name is simply `ldap`, but the actual required backend name is `ldapsam` to specifically indicate the SAM (Security Account Manager) module for user and password storage.
Detailed technical explanation
The `ldapsam` backend uses the LDAP protocol to store Samba account attributes such as `sambaNTPassword` (the MD4 hash of the user's password) and `sambaLMPassword` (the LM hash). When a client connects, Samba performs an LDAP bind (typically with a dedicated service account) to search for the user entry and verify the password hash. In real-world deployments, administrators often combine `ldapsam` with `ldap://` or `ldaps://` URIs, and must configure `ldap admin dn` and `ldap user suffix` in the `[global]` section of smb.conf to enable proper authentication.
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: passdb backend = ldapsam:ldap://ldap.example.com — Option D is correct because the `ldapsam` passdb backend is the Samba module specifically designed to store and authenticate user accounts (including encrypted passwords) against an LDAP directory. The syntax `ldapsam:ldap://ldap.example.com` tells Samba to use the LDAP SAM (Security Account Manager) backend, which maps Samba's account attributes to LDAP entries using the standard Samba LDAP schema (e.g., sambaSamAccount).
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
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