2.11. User Account Configuration
On the User Account Configuration screens (Figure 2.20, Figure 2.21, and Figure 2.22), specify the password of the system administrator (also known as the root or superuser account), create user accounts, and choose password authentication options.
2.11.1. To specify the root password ...
On the User Account Configuration - Root password Tab (Figure 2.20), enter a password for the system administrator in the field labeled Root Password and retype it in the field labeled Confirm. Passwords must be at least six characters in length.
 | There are programs available that attempt to crack easily guessed passwords. To help guard against this, you should select a password that is not based on a dictionary word. One way to help secure your password is to create a sentence that is easy to remember and use the first letters from that sentence as your password. For example, "Guessing Simple Passwords is as Easy as 1 2 3!" would be "GSPiaEa123!" -- easy to remember but very difficult to guess. |
2.11.2. To create additional user accounts ...
Select the tab labeled Create User Accounts.
Type the username for the account to be created in the Account Name field.
Type and confirm the password for the new user in the fields labeled Password and Password (confirm).
Enter the full name of the user in the field labeled Full Name.
Click Add.
To edit the user information or to delete users from the system, select their account name in the large list field and click Edit or Delete. To clear an unfinished account entry, click the new button.
2.11.3. Password Authentication Options
Click on the Authentication tab (Figure 2.22) to choose select from the various user authentication options.
- To allow for support of passwords of up to 256 characters
Check the box labeled Enable MD5-style password encryption.
- To save passwords to a file readable only by root
Check the box labeled Enable shadow password file storage. Passwords are saved in the file /etc/shadow.
- To use a Network Information Service (NIS) Server
Check the box labeled Enable NIS.
Enter the domain name of the NIS domain to be used in the field labeled NIS domain name.
- To use the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) Server
Check the box labeled Enable LDAP.
Enter the IP address of the server in the field labeled LDAP Server.
Enter the Base Directory Name in the field labeled LDAP Base DN.
Please consult your network administrator if you have any questions regarding these settings.