LPIC-2 File Sharing and Samba Practice Question
Which TWO of the following are valid methods to join a Samba server to an Active Directory domain using Samba 4?
⚠ Common exam trap
Candidates often confuse legacy NT4-style join commands (`net rpc join`) with modern AD join methods, or incorrectly assume that `smbpasswd` or `winbindd` have built-in join capabilities, when in fact only `net ads join` and `samba-tool domain join` are valid for Samba 4 AD joins.
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
✓
`net ads join`
`net ads join` is the traditional Samba tool for joining an Active Directory domain using the LDAP and Kerberos protocols over TCP/IP, which is the standard method for Samba 3 and later versions. Option D is correct because `samba-tool domain join` is the native Samba 4 command that directly integrates with the built-in AD domain controller functionality, allowing a Samba server to join an existing AD domain as a member server.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
`smbpasswd -j`
Why it's wrong here
smbpasswd -j is an old method for NT-style domains and is deprecated.
- ✗
`winbindd -j`
Why it's wrong here
winbindd does not have a join option.
- ✓
`net ads join`
Why this is correct
The net ads command is used for AD joins.
- ✓
`samba-tool domain join`
Why this is correct
samba-tool is the primary tool for Samba 4 AD operations.
- ✗
`net rpc join`
Why it's wrong here
net rpc join is for NT4-style classic domain.
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Written by Johnson Ajibi, MSc IT Security
Senior Network & Security Engineer · founder of Courseiva
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