Episode 55 — Directory-backed auth: LDAP vs Kerberos vs Samba, in exam language
Linux+ tests directory-backed authentication because understanding the roles of LDAP, Kerberos, and Samba prevents you from confusing “where identities are stored” with “how authentication happens.” This episode explains LDAP as a directory protocol used to query and store identity attributes, Kerberos as a ticket-based authentication system that proves identity without repeatedly sending passwords, and Samba as the suite that enables SMB-based file and identity integration, often bridging Linux systems into Windows-centric environments. You’ll learn the exam language that distinguishes these roles so you can interpret questions that describe logins, shares, realms, or tickets without naming the protocol explicitly. The key outcome is being able to say, “this is a lookup problem,” “this is an authentication trust problem,” or “this is a file sharing and identity mapping problem,” rather than treating all directory topics as interchangeable.
we connect these concepts to failure modes and troubleshooting decisions. You’ll practice diagnosing cases where LDAP lookups succeed but authentication fails because Kerberos tickets can’t be issued due to time drift or realm misconfiguration, and cases where users authenticate but cannot access shares due to Samba permissions or identity mapping mismatches. We also cover operational best practices that align with exam intent: ensure consistent DNS and time services, validate trust relationships before making policy changes, and test with a known-good account to separate system issues from credential issues. Finally, you’ll learn to treat directory-backed auth as a chain: connectivity and resolution first, identity lookup next, authentication proof next, and authorization last, so your troubleshooting remains structured even when the environment mixes multiple protocols. Produced by BareMetalCyber.com, where you’ll find more cyber audio courses, books, and information to strengthen your educational path. Also, if you want to stay up to date with the latest news, visit DailyCyber.News for a newsletter you can use, and a daily podcast you can commute with.
