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.
Exhibit
[global]
workgroup = WORKGROUP
server string = %h server
security = user
map to guest = Bad User
log file = /var/log/samba/log.%m
max log size = 50
[public]
path = /srv/samba/public
guest ok = yes
read only = yes
browseable = yes
Refer to the exhibit. A user attempts to access the 'public' share without authentication. What will be the outcome?
[global]
workgroup = WORKGROUP
server string = %h server
security = user
map to guest = Bad User
log file = /var/log/samba/log.%m
max log size = 50
[public]
path = /srv/samba/public
guest ok = yes
read only = yes
browseable = yes
A
Access denied because security = user
Why wrong: Incorrect; map to guest overrides this.
B
Access granted as guest because map to guest = Bad User and guest ok = yes
Correct; guest access is enabled.
C
Access denied because read only = yes
Why wrong: Incorrect; read only only prevents writes, not reads.
D
Access granted with full read/write because guest ok = yes
Why wrong: Incorrect; read only = yes restricts to read-only.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
Access granted as guest because map to guest = Bad User and guest ok = yes
Option B is correct because the Samba configuration combines `map to guest = Bad User` with `guest ok = yes`. When a user attempts to access the 'public' share without authentication, Samba treats the connection as a guest due to the 'Bad User' mapping (since no valid credentials were provided). The `guest ok = yes` directive then explicitly grants access to the share, allowing the user to connect as the guest account (typically 'nobody').
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.
✗
Access denied because security = user
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; map to guest overrides this.
✓
Access granted as guest because map to guest = Bad User and guest ok = yes
Why this is correct
Correct; guest access is enabled.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✗
Access denied because read only = yes
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; read only only prevents writes, not reads.
✗
Access granted with full read/write because guest ok = yes
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect; read only = yes restricts to read-only.
Common exam traps
Common exam trap: answer the scenario, not the keyword
The trap here is that candidates assume `security = user` always blocks unauthenticated access, overlooking the fact that `map to guest = Bad User` can override this by redirecting failed logins to the guest account, especially when combined with `guest ok = yes`.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Samba, `map to guest = Bad User` is a global parameter that redirects connections from users who fail authentication (including anonymous attempts) to the guest account. The `guest ok = yes` per-share parameter then explicitly allows guest connections to that share. Under the hood, Samba maps the guest user to the Unix account specified by `guest account` (default 'nobody'), and file access is governed by that account's Unix permissions and the share's `read only` setting. A real-world scenario is a public file drop where guests can upload files but not read others, achieved by combining `guest ok = yes` with `read only = no` and appropriate directory permissions.
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: Access granted as guest because map to guest = Bad User and guest ok = yes — Option B is correct because the Samba configuration combines `map to guest = Bad User` with `guest ok = yes`. When a user attempts to access the 'public' share without authentication, Samba treats the connection as a guest due to the 'Bad User' mapping (since no valid credentials were provided). The `guest ok = yes` directive then explicitly grants access to the share, allowing the user to connect as the guest account (typically 'nobody').
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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