LPIC-2 File Sharing and Samba Practice Question
Which Samba component provides NetBIOS name resolution and browsing services?
⚠ Common exam trap
Many exam-takers confuse smbd (the core file-sharing daemon) with nmbd, assuming that file sharing inherently includes name resolution, but in Samba these are separate daemons with distinct roles.
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
✓
nmbd
The nmbd daemon is the Samba component responsible for NetBIOS name resolution and browsing services. It listens for NetBIOS name service requests (port 137/UDP) and datagram distribution (port 138/UDP), enabling Windows clients to resolve NetBIOS names to IP addresses and participate in network browsing (e.g., listing shares in Network Neighborhood). Without nmbd, Samba cannot provide legacy NetBIOS-based name resolution or browse lists, though modern Samba can also use DNS-based discovery.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
swat
Why it's wrong here
swat is a configuration tool.
- ✗
smbd
Why it's wrong here
smbd provides file and print sharing.
- ✓
nmbd
Why this is correct
nmbd handles NetBIOS name services and browsing.
- ✗
winbind
Why it's wrong here
Winbind handles AD integration.
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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.