LPIC-2 Network Client Management Practice Question
Which file is used to configure the LDAP client for system authentication on a modern Linux system using nss-pam-ldapd?
⚠ Common exam trap
It's easy for candidates to confuse /etc/nslcd.conf (used by nss-pam-ldapd) with /etc/ldap.conf (used by the older nss_ldap/pam_ldap) or /etc/openldap/ldap.conf (used by OpenLDAP client tools), leading them to select a wrong answer based on familiarity with a different LDAP client stack.
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/nslcd.conf
/etc/nslcd.conf is the configuration file for nslcd, the LDAP name service daemon used by nss-pam-ldapd to perform LDAP queries for system authentication and user/group lookups. This daemon communicates with the LDAP server and provides the results to NSS and PAM modules, making it the central configuration point for LDAP client authentication on modern Linux systems.
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/openldap/ldap.conf
Why it's wrong here
Configuration for OpenLDAP client utilities, not system authentication.
- ✗
/etc/nsswitch.conf
Why it's wrong here
Defines name service order, not LDAP server details.
- ✓
/etc/nslcd.conf
Why this is correct
Correct file for nslcd daemon.
- ✗
/etc/ldap.conf
Why it's wrong here
Used by older nss_ldap, not modern nss-pam-ldapd.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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