LPIC-2 File Sharing and Samba Practice Question
Exhibit
Refer to the exhibit. smb.conf (partial): [global] workgroup = EXAMPLE security = user idmap config * : backend = tdb2 idmap config * : range = 10000-20000 [nfs_share] path = /srv/nfs/share browseable = no guest ok = no
What is the purpose of the 'idmap config * : backend = tdb2' line?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse the wildcard '*' in idmap config with a domain-specific setting, thinking it applies only to a domain named '*', or they mistakenly associate it with security modes or domain definitions, rather than recognizing it as the default backend for all unspecified domains.
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
✓
It sets the default identity mapping backend to tdb2.
The 'idmap config * : backend = tdb2' line in Samba's smb.conf configures the default identity mapping backend for all domains not explicitly specified. The asterisk (*) acts as a wildcard representing any domain, and 'tdb2' is a high-performance, clustered-aware database backend that stores mappings between Windows SIDs and Unix UIDs/GIDs. This ensures that when a user or group from an unspecified domain is encountered, Samba uses tdb2 to manage the ID mapping, making option A correct.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✓
It sets the default identity mapping backend to tdb2.
Why this is correct
The backend for the * (default) domain is set to tdb2.
- ✗
It specifies the security mode as user.
Why it's wrong here
Security mode is set by security = user, not idmap config.
- ✗
It defines the default domain for Samba.
Why it's wrong here
The default domain is * itself, but the line only sets its backend.
- ✗
It enables the winbind cache.
Why it's wrong here
Caching is separate (winbind cache time).
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JA
Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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.