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.
Which TWO of the following are common symptoms of a misconfigured winbind service when Samba is joined to an Active Directory domain?
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
`getent passwd` does not list domain users.
When winbind is misconfigured, the Name Service Switch (NSS) module may not be properly set up to query winbind for domain users. This means `getent passwd` will not return domain users even if winbind itself can enumerate them via `wbinfo -u`. The core issue is that NSS is not configured to use the `winbind` source in `/etc/nsswitch.conf`, or the winbind service is not correctly communicating with the NSS subsystem.
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.
✗
`net ads join` fails with 'access denied'.
Why it's wrong here
This is a join-time error, not a winbind symptom.
✗
Domain users cannot authenticate via SSH.
Why it's wrong here
SSH authentication depends on PAM configuration, not solely on winbind.
✓
`getent passwd` does not list domain users.
Why this is correct
This indicates winbind NSS module is not working.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
✓
`wbinfo -u` returns a list of domain users but `getent passwd` does not.
Why this is correct
This suggests winbind is running but NSS is misconfigured.
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 `wbinfo -u` and `getent passwd` should always return the same results, but they do not realize that `wbinfo` bypasses NSS and directly queries winbind, while `getent` relies on the NSS configuration.
Detailed technical explanation
How to think about this question
The winbind service uses the `nss_winbind` module to integrate with the NSS system, which is controlled by the `passwd: compat winbind` line in `/etc/nsswitch.conf`. If this line is missing or incorrect, `getent passwd` will not query winbind, while `wbinfo -u` directly queries the winbind daemon via its own protocol (MS-RPC or LDAP). A real-world scenario is when a sysadmin correctly joins the domain and can run `wbinfo -u` successfully, but forgets to update `/etc/nsswitch.conf`, causing all NSS-based lookups to fail.
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 practitioner preparing for the LPIC-2 exam encounters this exact type of scenario on the job. The correct answer here is not the most general option — it is the best answer for the specific constraint described. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Real exam questions reward reading the full scenario before eliminating options, because the constraint defines which answer fits.
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: `getent passwd` does not list domain users. — When winbind is misconfigured, the Name Service Switch (NSS) module may not be properly set up to query winbind for domain users. This means `getent passwd` will not return domain users even if winbind itself can enumerate them via `wbinfo -u`. The core issue is that NSS is not configured to use the `winbind` source in `/etc/nsswitch.conf`, or the winbind service is not correctly communicating with the NSS subsystem.
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.
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 →
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
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.
Question Discussion
Share a tip, memory trick, or ask about the reasoning behind this question. Do not post real exam questions, leaked content, braindumps, or copyrighted exam material. Comments are moderated and may be removed without notice.
Sign in to join the discussion.