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 wants to configure Samba to allow only specific users to access a share. Which TWO configuration parameters in smb.conf can be used to restrict access based on usernames?
hosts allow
Why wrong: Restricts access by IP address, not username.
invalid users
Specifies which users are denied access to the share.
write list
Why wrong: Controls write permissions, not overall access.
valid users
Specifies which users are allowed to access the share.
read list
Why wrong: Controls read-only permissions, not overall access.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
invalid users
Option B (invalid users) is correct because it explicitly lists usernames that are denied access to a share, overriding any other access controls. Option D (valid users) is correct because it restricts access to only the specified usernames, denying all others. Both parameters operate at the Samba share level and directly filter based on usernames.
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.
hosts allow
Why it's wrong here
Restricts access by IP address, not username.
invalid users
Why this is correct
Specifies which users are denied access to the share.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
write list
Why it's wrong here
Controls write permissions, not overall access.
valid users
Why this is correct
Specifies which users are allowed to access the share.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
read list
Why it's wrong here
Controls read-only permissions, not overall access.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often confuse 'valid users' and 'invalid users' with access control lists (ACLs) or think they only affect write permissions, when in fact they control all access (read and write) to the share.
Detailed technical explanation
The 'valid users' parameter is evaluated before share access is granted; if a user is not in the list, Samba immediately denies the connection with an 'NT_STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED' error. The 'invalid users' parameter is checked after authentication but before share access, and it overrides 'valid users' — if a user appears in both, they are denied. This allows fine-grained control, such as excluding specific users from a share that otherwise allows a group.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
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: invalid users — Option B (invalid users) is correct because it explicitly lists usernames that are denied access to a share, overriding any other access controls. Option D (valid users) is correct because it restricts access to only the specified usernames, denying all others. Both parameters operate at the Samba share level and directly filter based on usernames.
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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