This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of file sharing and samba. The scenario asks you to isolate a root cause — eliminate options that address a different problem before choosing. 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
The following output is from 'testparm -v' for a Samba server:
[global]
workgroup = WORKGROUP
server string = %h server (Samba, Ubuntu)
netbios name = SAMBA-SRV
security = USER
map to guest = Bad User
passdb backend = tdbsam
printing = cups
printcap name = cups
[share]
path = /srv/share
valid users = @staff
read only = Yes
guest ok = No
Refer to the exhibit. A user in the group 'staff' attempts to access the share 'share' from a Windows client. The user is prompted for credentials and authenticates successfully, but cannot write any files. What is the most likely reason?
Clue words in this question
Noticing these words before you look at the options changes how you read each choice.
Clue: "most likely"
Why it matters: Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
The following output is from 'testparm -v' for a Samba server:
[global]
workgroup = WORKGROUP
server string = %h server (Samba, Ubuntu)
netbios name = SAMBA-SRV
security = USER
map to guest = Bad User
passdb backend = tdbsam
printing = cups
printcap name = cups
[share]
path = /srv/share
valid users = @staff
read only = Yes
guest ok = No
A
The passdb backend is set to tdbsam, which does not support write operations.
Why wrong: The passdb backend is for authentication, not file permissions.
B
The share has guest ok = No, which prevents guest access.
Why wrong: Guest access is not relevant here; the user authenticated successfully.
C
The valid users parameter does not include the user.
Why wrong: The user is in @staff, so they are allowed by valid users.
D
The share has read only = Yes, which prevents writes even for authenticated users.
The 'read only' parameter overrides all write permissions.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The share has read only = Yes, which prevents writes even for authenticated users.
Option D is correct because the `read only = Yes` parameter in a Samba share definition explicitly prevents all write operations, even for authenticated users. When this parameter is set, Samba enforces read-only access at the share level, overriding any user or group permissions that might otherwise allow writes. Since the user authenticates successfully but cannot write, the most direct cause is this share-level restriction.
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.
✗
The passdb backend is set to tdbsam, which does not support write operations.
Why it's wrong here
The passdb backend is for authentication, not file permissions.
✗
The share has guest ok = No, which prevents guest access.
Why it's wrong here
Guest access is not relevant here; the user authenticated successfully.
✗
The valid users parameter does not include the user.
Why it's wrong here
The user is in @staff, so they are allowed by valid users.
✓
The share has read only = Yes, which prevents writes even for authenticated users.
Why this is correct
The 'read only' parameter overrides all write permissions.
Clue confirmation
The clue word "most likely" in the question point toward this answer.
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 overlook the `read only = Yes` parameter and instead focus on authentication or user inclusion, assuming that successful authentication implies write access, but Samba's share-level read-only flag overrides all user permissions.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
In Samba, the `read only` parameter (or its alias `writable = no`) sets the share's access mode at the SMB protocol level, meaning the server advertises the share as read-only to clients, and the client enforces this by rejecting write requests. This is independent of filesystem permissions on the underlying Linux directory; even if the directory has 777 permissions, a `read only = Yes` share will block writes. A real-world scenario is when an administrator wants to provide a read-only archive share while still requiring authentication for access control.
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: The share has read only = Yes, which prevents writes even for authenticated users. — Option D is correct because the `read only = Yes` parameter in a Samba share definition explicitly prevents all write operations, even for authenticated users. When this parameter is set, Samba enforces read-only access at the share level, overriding any user or group permissions that might otherwise allow writes. Since the user authenticates successfully but cannot write, the most direct cause is this share-level restriction.
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.
Are there clue words in this question I should notice?
Yes — watch for: "most likely". Probability qualifier — the question wants the most probable cause or outcome, not a guaranteed one. Eliminate low-probability options.
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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