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 create a Samba share that allows all users in the 'staff' group read/write access, but denies access to everyone else. Which configuration achieves this?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
[share]\n path = /data\n valid users = @staff\n read only = no
Option B is correct because it uses `valid users = @staff` to restrict access exclusively to members of the 'staff' group, and `read only = no` grants read/write permissions to those valid users. The `@` prefix in Samba denotes a group, ensuring only group members can connect, while `read only = no` overrides the default read-only behavior to allow writes.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
✗
[share]\n path = /data\n read list = staff\n read only = yes
Why it's wrong here
read list restricts read access to staff but share is read-only.
✓
[share]\n path = /data\n valid users = @staff\n read only = no
Why this is correct
This restricts access to the staff group and grants read/write.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
write list adds write access but does not restrict read access.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often forget the `@` prefix for group names in Samba, mistaking a plain group name for a valid user list, or they assume `write list` alone restricts access without realizing it only adds write privileges to users who already have read access.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Samba, the `valid users` parameter acts as an access control list (ACL) at the share level, rejecting connections from any user not in the specified list. The `@groupname` syntax maps to the system's group membership via the `getpwnam()` and `getgrnam()` calls, which rely on NSS (Name Service Switch) and can integrate with LDAP or AD. The `read only` parameter defaults to `yes`, so explicitly setting it to `no` is required for write access; without it, even valid users would be restricted to read-only.
KKey Concepts to Remember
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Find the constraint that changes the correct option.
Eliminate answers that are true in general but not in this case.
TExam Day Tips
→Watch for words such as best, first, most likely and least administrative effort.
→Review why wrong options are wrong, not only why the correct option is correct.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
How this comes up in practice
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
Got this wrong? Here's your next step.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
File Sharing and Samba — This question tests File Sharing and Samba — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: [share]\n path = /data\n valid users = @staff\n read only = no — Option B is correct because it uses `valid users = @staff` to restrict access exclusively to members of the 'staff' group, and `read only = no` grants read/write permissions to those valid users. The `@` prefix in Samba denotes a group, ensuring only group members can connect, while `read only = no` overrides the default read-only behavior to allow writes.
What should I do if I get this LPIC-2 question wrong?
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
What is the key concept behind this question?
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Question Discussion
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