Why should the log level parameter in smb.conf normally not be set higher than 2?

Setting the log level parameter in smb.conf higher than 2 can indeed have implications for server performance. When the log level is increased, the Samba server becomes more verbose in its logging, which means that it records more detailed information about its operations. If the logging level is set too high, Samba may flush the log file after each logged operation. This frequent flushing can lead to significant performance degradation because every log entry incurs a disk write operation, which is much slower compared to in-memory operations.

Maintaining log levels at or below 2 strikes a balance, allowing administrators to obtain useful diagnostic information without overwhelming the system with excessive detail that could negatively impact performance. This allows Samba to operate efficiently while still providing enough logging for troubleshooting purposes.