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 organization runs a Samba server in standalone mode. They want to allow anonymous (guest) access to a public share. Which configuration option enables guest access for a share?
anonymous = yes
Why wrong: There is no 'anonymous' parameter in smb.conf.
security = share
Why wrong: Security mode 'share' is obsolete and not recommended.
guest account = nobody
Why wrong: This sets the guest account but does not enable guest access.
map to guest = Bad User and guest ok = yes
This maps unknown users to the guest account and allows guest 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
map to guest = Bad User and guest ok = yes
Option D is correct because Samba requires both `map to guest = Bad User` (which tells Samba to treat any connection attempt with an invalid username as a guest connection) and `guest ok = yes` (which explicitly permits guest access to the share). Without both, anonymous access will be denied. The `map to guest` directive can also be set to `Bad Password` or `Never`, but `Bad User` is the typical choice for public shares.
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.
anonymous = yes
Why it's wrong here
There is no 'anonymous' parameter in smb.conf.
security = share
Why it's wrong here
Security mode 'share' is obsolete and not recommended.
guest account = nobody
Why it's wrong here
This sets the guest account but does not enable guest access.
map to guest = Bad User and guest ok = yes
Why this is correct
This maps unknown users to the guest account and allows guest access.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
The trap here is that candidates often think `security = share` or `guest account = nobody` alone enables guest access, but Samba requires both the global `map to guest` directive and the per‑share `guest ok = yes` to actually allow anonymous connections.
Detailed technical explanation
Under the hood, when a client connects without a password (or with an invalid username), Samba checks the `map to guest` setting in the `[global]` section. If set to `Bad User`, Samba maps the session to the guest account (typically `nobody`) and then checks the share-level `guest ok` parameter. If `guest ok = yes` is missing, the connection is rejected even if `map to guest` is set. A real‑world scenario: a public file drop share might combine `map to guest = Bad User` with `guest ok = yes` and `read only = no` to allow anonymous uploads, but this also requires careful filesystem permissions on the guest account.
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
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
File Sharing and Samba — study guide chapter
Learn the concepts, then practise the questions
File Sharing and Samba practice questions
Targeted practice on this topic area only
All LPIC-2 questions
511 questions across all exam domains
Linux Professional Institute Certification Level 2 LPIC-2 study guide
Full concept coverage aligned to exam objectives
LPIC-2 practice test guide
How to use practice tests most effectively before exam day
Related practice questions
Use these pages to review the topic behind this question. This is how one missed question becomes focused revision.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to Linux Kernel and System Startup.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to Block Devices, Filesystems and Advanced Storage.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to Advanced Networking Configuration.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to DNS, Web and Mail Services.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to File Sharing and Samba.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to System Security.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to Network Client Management.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to LPIC-2 fundamentals.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to LPIC-2 scenario.
Practise LPIC-2 questions linked to LPIC-2 troubleshooting.
Practice this exam
Short sessions build daily habit. Longer sessions build exam-day stamina. Try a timed session to simulate real conditions.
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: map to guest = Bad User and guest ok = yes — Option D is correct because Samba requires both `map to guest = Bad User` (which tells Samba to treat any connection attempt with an invalid username as a guest connection) and `guest ok = yes` (which explicitly permits guest access to the share). Without both, anonymous access will be denied. The `map to guest` directive can also be set to `Bad Password` or `Never`, but `Bad User` is the typical choice for public shares.
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.
About these practice questions
Courseiva creates original exam-style practice questions with explanations and wrong-answer analysis. It does not publish real exam questions, exam dumps, or protected exam content. Learn why practice questions differ from exam dumps →
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.