need very long entries in /etc/group

2007-12-25 7:58:00

The answer was something I would not have thought about trying...

Jim Davis (jdavis@noao.edu) said it first:

>I think the standard workaround is

>

>mygroup1:*:101 name1,name2,...,namen

>mygroup2:*:101 namen+1,namen+2,...

>

>which leaves everyone with the same GID.

Which it does.

Others mentioned netgroups, but this approach keeps everything in

one file and does what I need.

There were over 30 replies, so I won't enumerate them here. Very much

thanks to everyone!!

My original query:

>Configuration: Sun Sparcstation 1,1+,2,IPC

> SUNOS 4.1.1b

> All networked, using NIS

> Approx. 1000 users per semester

>

>Background:

> I have a need to allow a significant number of users access to a given

>software package. I would like to simply assign a group ID to the software

>package that allows only users in that group access to the package.

>However, the users span several existing groups, and I can't move them out

>of those groups.

>

> There is apparently a length limit on the number of characters in a

>group definition in /etc/group. I have tried both

>

>mygroup:*:101: user1,user2,

> user3,user4 ... (i.e., without continuation codes),

>

>and

>

>mygroup:*:101: user1,user2 \

> user3,user4 ... (i.e., with continuation codes).

>

>I found the latter is the correct method. My problem is, I have more users

>than will fit. I get the message 'entry too long' when I exceed the limit,

>and through testing with the 'ckgrp' command. I have looked in the manuals

>and the last sun-managers FAQ that I have, with no results.

>

>

>My question:

> Is there a way to have a very long group entry, or must I write a

>front end for the software package and check a user list of my own design?

>I am prepared to do the latter, but would much prefer using a group if at

>all possible.

>

>Please mail responses to me directly, and I will summarize.

>

>Thanks in advance,

>

>

Joel L. Seber | Dry humor is wasted around here.

SUN Workstation Laboratory Manager |

Center for Manufacturing Research | -Joel L. Seber

      and Technology Utilization |

Tennessee Technological University | recursive, adj.

Cookeville, TN 38505 | See 'recursive'

                                        |

jls2013@tntech.edu |

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