3 ms·
A common pattern in administering large Linux workstation installations is having the machines poll a central user database which generates new group/password f
by lukeschlather 14y ago
A common pattern in administering large Linux workstation installations is having the machines poll a central user database which generates new group/password files. Of course ideally you can pull a subset, but if everyone needs to be able to log into that workstation, then everyone needs to be in /etc/passwd. There are other solutions, but this is a simple and effective one that means most people can still log in if your authentication servers are down.
- Evbn 14y agoWhy do hundreds of people log into one workstation? Or do you mean each person to their own workstation, but they all share a common passwd file?
- lukeschlather 14y agoOne example where hundreds of people need to be able to physically log into a single workstation is an educational computer lab where you have a 20 or so shared workstations, and requiring assigned seating would be cumbersome. Having a common passwd file for personal workstations is also an understandable configuration for ease of administration, though it of course has its drawbacks.
- na85 14y agoImagine a company with 100 employees, and 100 shared workstations. Now imagine everyone has to be able to log on to each workstation.