The correct statement is that user 'alice' connected from IP 192.168.1.10 using SMB3 protocol. This is true because the smbstatus output explicitly lists the user, their source IP address, and the protocol version in the 'Protocol' column, which shows 'SMB3_02'—a recognized variant of the SMB3 dialect. On the LPIC-2 exam, interpreting smbstatus output tests your ability to audit active Samba connections, identify users, and verify protocol versions, which is critical for troubleshooting file sharing and security compliance. A common trap is confusing SMB3_02 with SMB2 or overlooking the protocol column entirely, so always scan the full output line for the user, IP, and protocol fields. Memory tip: think "Alice's IP and SMB3 go together" to remember that the user, address, and protocol must match in a single row for a valid connection statement.
LPIC-2 File Sharing and Samba Practice Question
This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of file sharing and samba. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
$ smbstatus
Samba version 4.15.2
PID Username Group Machine Protocol Version
12345 alice staff win10-pc (192.168.1.10) SMB3_11
12346 bob users win7-pc (192.168.1.11) SMB2_10
Service pid Machine Connected at
share1 12345 win10-pc Tue Mar 14 10:00:00 2023
share2 12346 win7-pc Tue Mar 14 10:05:00 2023
Locked files:
Pid Uid DenyMode Access R/W Oplock SharePath Name
12345 1001 DENY_NONE 0x100089 RDONLY NONE /srv/samba/share1 report.pdf
12346 1002 DENY_NONE 0x100089 RDONLY NONE /srv/samba/share2 data.xls
Based on the smbstatus output, which statement is true?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
User 'alice' connected from IP 192.168.1.10 using SMB3 protocol
Option A is correct because the smbstatus output shows that user 'alice' is connected from IP address 192.168.1.10 and the 'Protocol' column explicitly lists 'SMB3_02', which is a variant of the SMB3 protocol. This directly matches the statement in option A.
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.
✓
User 'alice' connected from IP 192.168.1.10 using SMB3 protocol
Why this is correct
The machine column shows win10-pc (192.168.1.10) and protocol version SMB3_11.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Both users are using SMB2 protocol
Why it's wrong here
Alice uses SMB3_11, Bob uses SMB2_10.
✗
User 'bob' is accessing share2 with write permissions
Why it's wrong here
Access shows RDONLY, so read-only.
✗
User 'alice' has an exclusive lock on report.pdf
Why it's wrong here
DenyMode is DENY_NONE, so no exclusive lock.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates may assume 'DENY_NONE' implies no lock at all, but it actually means a lock is present that denies no access, which is the opposite of an exclusive lock; LPI often tests the distinction between share mode lock types in smbstatus output.
Trap categories for this question
Command / output trap
Access shows RDONLY, so read-only.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The smbstatus command displays current Samba connections, including protocol versions like SMB2_10 (a dialect of SMB 2.1) and SMB3_02 (a dialect of SMB 3.0). The 'LockType' column indicates the share mode lock applied by the client; 'DENY_NONE' means the file is opened without denying other clients read or write access, while 'DENY_ALL' would indicate an exclusive lock. In real-world scenarios, misinterpreting lock types can lead to incorrect assumptions about file contention and data integrity.
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 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
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: User 'alice' connected from IP 192.168.1.10 using SMB3 protocol — Option A is correct because the smbstatus output shows that user 'alice' is connected from IP address 192.168.1.10 and the 'Protocol' column explicitly lists 'SMB3_02', which is a variant of the SMB3 protocol. This directly matches the statement in option A.
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.
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 →
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.
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.