LPIC-2 Network Client Management Practice Question
To ensure LDAP communication is encrypted, an administrator configures LDAP over SSL (LDAPS) on port 636. Which configuration file on the client should be modified to specify the LDAP server with TLS?
⚠ Common exam trap
A common mix-up: candidates confuse the client configuration file path between distributions (e.g., /etc/openldap/ldap.conf vs. /etc/ldap/ldap.conf) or mistakenly choose /etc/pam_ldap.conf because it deals with authentication, but the question specifically asks for the file to specify the LDAP server with TLS, which is the generic client LDAP configuration file.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
/etc/ldap/ldap.conf
The LDAP client configuration file on Linux systems is typically located at /etc/ldap/ldap.conf (or /etc/openldap/ldap.conf on some distributions). This file is used by LDAP client libraries (e.g., libldap) to specify the LDAP server URI, including the use of TLS/SSL via the ldaps:// scheme or the TLS_REQCERT directive. Modifying this file allows the client to connect to an LDAP server over port 636 with encryption.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
/etc/pam_ldap.conf
Why it's wrong here
PAM LDAP configuration file, but ldap.conf is the base.
- ✗
/etc/openldap/ldap.conf
Why it's wrong here
Common location, but the exact path may vary; ldap.conf is standard.
- ✗
/etc/nsswitch.conf
Why it's wrong here
This file controls name service order.
- ✓
/etc/ldap/ldap.conf
Why this is correct
This is the standard LDAP client configuration file.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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