LPIC-2 File Sharing and Samba Practice Question
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?
⚠ Common exam trap
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.
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
✓
[share]\n path = /data\n valid users = @staff\n read only = no
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.
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.
- ✗
[share]\n path = /data\n valid users = staff\n read only = yes
Why it's wrong here
This allows only user 'staff' (not group) and is read-only.
- ✗
[share]\n path = /data\n write list = @staff\n browseable = yes
Why it's wrong here
write list adds write access but does not restrict read access.
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