LPIC-2 Network Client Management Practice Question
This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of network client management. 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.
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit.
Exhibit:
```
# /etc/ldap.conf
base dc=example,dc=com
uri ldap://ldap.example.com
ldap_version 3
pam_filter objectclass=posixAccount
pam_password md5
nss_base_passwd dc=example,dc=com
nss_base_shadow dc=example,dc=com
nss_base_group dc=example,dc=com
```
Given the LDAP client configuration shown in the exhibit, which THREE additional components are required for LDAP authentication to work? (Choose three.)
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Edit /etc/nsswitch.conf to include ldap in passwd, shadow, and group lines.
Option A is correct because /etc/nsswitch.conf controls which sources the system uses for user, group, and password lookups. Adding 'ldap' to the passwd, shadow, and group lines directs the Name Service Switch (NSS) to query the LDAP directory for authentication-related information, which is essential for integrating LDAP as an identity source.
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.
✓
Edit /etc/nsswitch.conf to include ldap in passwd, shadow, and group lines.
Why this is correct
Necessary to query LDAP for user/group info.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Install and configure autofs.
Why it's wrong here
Not related to LDAP authentication.
✗
Configure /etc/krb5.conf for Kerberos.
Why it's wrong here
Not required for basic LDAP authentication.
✓
Add 'auth sufficient pam_ldap.so' or similar to /etc/pam.d/system-auth.
Why this is correct
LDAP PAM module handles authentication.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
Start the nscd service.
Why this is correct
Caches user/group information for performance.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates often confuse optional components like autofs or Kerberos as mandatory for LDAP authentication, when in fact only NSS, PAM, and caching (nscd) are the core required pieces for basic LDAP authentication to function.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
LDAP authentication relies on two key subsystems: NSS (Name Service Switch) for user/group resolution and PAM (Pluggable Authentication Modules) for authentication policy. The nscd (Name Service Cache Daemon) caches NSS lookups to reduce LDAP query load and improve performance; without it, repeated lookups can cause latency or overload the LDAP server, especially in environments with many concurrent logins. The PAM configuration (e.g., pam_ldap.so) must be present to actually perform the LDAP bind and verify credentials.
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.
Network Client Management — This question tests Network Client Management — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
What is the correct answer to this question?
The correct answer is: Edit /etc/nsswitch.conf to include ldap in passwd, shadow, and group lines. — Option A is correct because /etc/nsswitch.conf controls which sources the system uses for user, group, and password lookups. Adding 'ldap' to the passwd, shadow, and group lines directs the Name Service Switch (NSS) to query the LDAP directory for authentication-related information, which is essential for integrating LDAP as an identity source.
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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