300-300 · Question #39
Which mechanism of a Linux system is used by Samba to permit identity resolution within a domain?
The correct answer is B. Name Service Switch (NSS). Name Service Switch (NSS) is the Linux mechanism Samba uses for identity resolution because NSS provides a unified, pluggable framework that maps user/group names to UIDs/GIDs - Samba inserts itself via modules like libnss_winbind.so so that domain accounts appear as valid local
Question
Options
- ALinux kernel modules (via /etc/modules.conf)
- BName Service Switch (NSS)
- CAutomount (autofs)
- DInode notify (inotify)
- ECron-daemon (crond)
How the community answered
(18 responses)- A11% (2)
- B78% (14)
- C6% (1)
- E6% (1)
Explanation
Name Service Switch (NSS) is the Linux mechanism Samba uses for identity resolution because NSS provides a unified, pluggable framework that maps user/group names to UIDs/GIDs - Samba inserts itself via modules like libnss_winbind.so so that domain accounts appear as valid local identities to the OS.
Why the distractors are wrong:
- A (kernel modules / /etc/modules.conf) - handles hardware drivers and kernel features, not user/group name lookups.
- C (autofs) - automatically mounts filesystems on demand; unrelated to identity resolution.
- D (inotify) - a kernel subsystem for filesystem event notifications (file changes), not authentication or naming.
- E (crond) - schedules periodic tasks; has no role in resolving domain identities.
Memory tip: Think of NSS as the OS's "phone book lookup" system - it's the layer Linux consults when asked "who is this user?" Samba registers itself in that phone book (via /etc/nsswitch.conf entries like passwd: files winbind) so domain users get recognized system-wide.
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