Setting Up Group and User Databases [ New Features of MPE/iX: Using the Hierarchical File System ] MPE/iX 5.0 Documentation
New Features of MPE/iX: Using the Hierarchical File System
Setting Up Group and User Databases
The UID and GID databases are a required part of any operating system
that implements POSIX standards. These databases contain user identities
to authorize user and system interaction.
* User ID database (UID) in HPUID.PUB.SYS and HPUIDNX.PUB.SYS
* Group ID database (GID) in HPGID.PUB.SYS and HPGIDNX.PUB.SYS
The databases are automatically created when you install or update to
MPE/iX Release 4.5 or later. The databases are privileged files whose
contents are not visible. As system manager, you need to be aware of
their existence.
MPE/iX requires that all processes have an associated UID and GID. Each
user is assigned a unique user ID (UID) which the system maintains. When
a user logs on, MPE/iX uses the authenticated user.account logon string
to query the databases for the UID and GID. The IDs are stored in a run-
time process table.
If no entry is found in the UID database, MPE/iX checks whether the user
has SM capability. If the user does not have a UID and does not have SM
capability, the user cannot log on to the system.
Group ID
NOTE The term group in this context is distinct from an MPE group. To
clarify, this document refers to groups under accounts as MPE
groups.
The group database defines members of a file sharing group. The database
also maps numerical group IDs to POSIX.1 group names in the file called
HPGID.PUB.SYS. The GID is a unique number that identifies the group.
MPE/iX automatically assigns a group ID when you create a new account
unless you specify one. The group database is set up automatically when
you install or update MPE/iX.
User ID
The user database maps numerical user IDs to login names in the file
called HPUID.PUB.SYS. The UID is a unique number that identifies the
user. MPE/iX automatically assigns a user ID when you create a new
account or add a user unless you specify one.
Maintaining the group and user databases
It is not necessary to perform any special procedures to maintain the
user and group databases. When you add, modify, or purge users, groups,
and accounts, the user and group databases are modified accordingly. A
utility called PXUTIL exists to provide version information and
backdating capabilities.
PXUTIL
PXUTIL has been created to provide the commands VERSION, BACKDATE, and
PURGE along with current commands of HELP, QUIT, and EXIT. The UPDATE
command has been obsoleted due to the redesign of the UID/GID databases.
The following describes these new commands:
1. VERSION
The VERSION command displays the versions of the database files,
the number of valid records in the databases, and the next UID and
GID numbers to be used.
_____________________________________________
| |
| |
| :PXUTIL.PUB.SYS |
| PXUTIL> version |
| |
| UID DATABASE: |
| HPUID.PUB.SYS Version: A.01.00 |
| HPUIDNX.PUB.SYS Version: A.01.00 |
| Valid Records: 368 |
| Uid Counter: 531 |
| |
| GID DATABASE: |
| HPGID.PUB.SYS Version: A.01.00 |
| HPGIDNX.PUB.SYS Version: A.01.00 |
| Valid Records: 122 |
| Gid Counter: 276 |
| |
_____________________________________________
2. BACKDATE
The BACKDATE command purges the UID/GID databases for backdating
purposes. The user information must be saved on tape first via
:STORE;;DIRECTORY. A warning message to this effect is displayed
with an option to cancel the process. The following example
demonstrates this.
_______________________________________________________
| |
| |
| :PXUTIL.PUB.SYS |
| PXUTIL> backdate |
| |
| You MUST do a :STORE ;;DIRECTORY |
| BEFORE running this pre-backdating operation |
| to preserve user information. Continue (Y/N)? |
| |
_______________________________________________________
3. PURGE
The PURGE command purges old UID/GID database files created from a
UID/GID system boot error (HPUIDOLD.PUB.SYS, HPUIDONX.PUB.SYS,
HPGIDOLD.PUB.SYS, and HPGIDONX.PUB.SYS).
4. HELP
The HELP command displays instruction on the utility.
5. QUIT
The QUIT command exits the utility.
6. EXIT
The EXIT command exits the utility.
MPE/iX 5.0 Documentation