This LPIC-2 practice question tests your understanding of file sharing and samba. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. 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 smb.conf parameters can be used to restrict access to a share based on client IP address or network?
hosts deny
This parameter specifies IP addresses or networks that are denied access.
valid users
Why wrong: This parameter restricts access by username, not IP.
allow hosts
Why wrong: This is not a valid smb.conf parameter.
invalid users
Why wrong: This parameter restricts access by username, not IP.
hosts allow
This parameter specifies IP addresses or networks that are allowed access.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
hosts deny
The parameters hosts allow and hosts deny control IP-based access to shares. 'valid users' and 'invalid users' control user-level access, and 'allow hosts' is not a valid Samba parameter.
Key principle: ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
hosts deny
Why this is correct
This parameter specifies IP addresses or networks that are denied access.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
valid users
Why it's wrong here
This parameter restricts access by username, not IP.
allow hosts
Why it's wrong here
This is not a valid smb.conf parameter.
invalid users
Why it's wrong here
This parameter restricts access by username, not IP.
hosts allow
Why this is correct
This parameter specifies IP addresses or networks that are allowed access.
Related concept
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
Common exam traps
ACLs are processed top to bottom. The first matching entry wins, and an implicit deny usually exists at the end.
Detailed technical explanation
ACL questions test precision: source, destination, protocol, port and direction. A generally correct ACL can still fail if it is applied on the wrong interface or in the wrong direction.
Key takeaway
ACLs process entries top to bottom and stop at the first match. Entry order and interface direction matter as much as the permit or deny statement.
Real-world example
A security administrator must allow nursing staff to reach a patient records server while blocking access from the guest Wi-Fi VLAN. After applying an extended ACL, traffic is still blocked from nursing workstations. The ACL was applied outbound instead of inbound on the wrong interface. Questions like this test ACL direction and placement rules.
What to study next
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related LPIC-2 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
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FAQ
File Sharing and Samba — This question tests File Sharing and Samba — Standard ACLs match source addresses..
The correct answer is: hosts deny — The parameters hosts allow and hosts deny control IP-based access to shares. 'valid users' and 'invalid users' control user-level access, and 'allow hosts' is not a valid Samba parameter.
Review ACL processing order, placement rules (standard near destination, extended near source), and inbound vs outbound direction. Study wildcard masks and implicit deny. Then practise related LPIC-2 ACL questions on filtering logic and placement.
Standard ACLs match source addresses.
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Last reviewed: Jun 24, 2026
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.
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