The answer is that the staff group lacks write permission on the directory. This is because the /srv/samba/shared directory has permissions 755, meaning only the owner (root) has write access, while the group staff has only read and execute (r-x). Even though the Samba share is set to read only = no, Samba enforces filesystem-level permissions, so the valid users = @staff group cannot create or modify files without group write permission on the directory. On the LPIC-2 exam, this question tests your understanding of the interaction between Samba share definitions and underlying Linux file permissions—a common trap is assuming that setting read only = no in smb.conf overrides directory permissions. Remember the key principle: Samba cannot grant more access than the filesystem allows. A helpful memory tip is "Samba serves what the filesystem gives"—always verify directory ownership and group write bits before troubleshooting Samba write issues.
LPIC-2 File Sharing and Samba Practice Question
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.
A Samba administrator notices that Windows clients cannot access a shared directory. The share is defined in smb.conf as follows:
[shared]
path = /srv/samba/shared
valid users = @staff
browseable = yes
read only = no
The /srv/samba/shared directory has permissions 755 and is owned by root:staff. Which is the most likely cause of the access issue?
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.
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
The 'staff' group lacks write permission on the directory
The 'staff' group lacks write permission on the directory because the directory has permissions 755, which grants write access only to the owner (root). Even though the share is defined as 'read only = no', Samba enforces filesystem-level permissions. Since the 'valid users = @staff' restricts access to members of the staff group, they need write permission on the directory to create or modify files. The group 'staff' has only read and execute permissions (r-x), so write operations fail.
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 'valid users' parameter is misspelled
Why it's wrong here
It is spelled correctly.
✗
The share is defined as browseable but not listed
Why it's wrong here
browseable=yes means it appears in network listings, that's fine.
✗
SELinux is blocking access and must be disabled
Why it's wrong here
SELinux could be an issue, but the most likely cause is directory permissions.
✓
The 'staff' group lacks write permission on the directory
Why this is correct
755 gives owner rwx, group r-x, others r-x. Group cannot write.
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 assume Samba's 'read only = no' alone grants write access, overlooking that Linux filesystem permissions are enforced independently and must also allow write for the effective user or group.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
Samba maps Windows access requests to Linux user credentials and then checks both share-level permissions (e.g., 'read only', 'valid users') and filesystem permissions (POSIX ACLs). The directory's 755 permission means the group 'staff' has only r-x, so even if Samba allows write via 'read only = no', the kernel will deny write operations. In real-world scenarios, administrators often forget that Samba cannot override filesystem permissions, leading to silent failures that are logged in /var/log/samba/log.smbd with 'NT_STATUS_ACCESS_DENIED'.
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 small business has 20 workstations on the 192.168.1.0/24 network and one public IP from its ISP. The router uses PAT (NAT overload) so all 20 devices share one public address using different source ports. NAT questions test whether you understand the four address terms and which direction each translation applies.
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 'staff' group lacks write permission on the directory — The 'staff' group lacks write permission on the directory because the directory has permissions 755, which grants write access only to the owner (root). Even though the share is defined as 'read only = no', Samba enforces filesystem-level permissions. Since the 'valid users = @staff' restricts access to members of the staff group, they need write permission on the directory to create or modify files. The group 'staff' has only read and execute permissions (r-x), so write operations fail.
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.
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 →
These questions test the same concept from different angles. Work through them to make sure you can recognise it however the exam phrases it.
Variation 1. Given the smb.conf exhibit, which share(s) allow write access to user 'alice' who is a member of the 'staff' group?
medium
A.share1 and share3
B.share3 only
✓ C.share1 only
D.share2 only
Why C: Option C is correct because in the smb.conf exhibit, share1 has 'write list = @staff' which grants write access to all members of the staff group, including user alice. share2 has 'read only = yes' and no write list, so it is read-only for everyone. share3 has 'valid users = bob' and 'write list = bob', so only bob can write; alice is not listed and is not in the bob group, so she has no write access.
Last reviewed: Jun 11, 2026
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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.
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