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Configuring eDirectory
Authentication
You can use Novell® Linux User Management (LUM) to configure SUSE® Linux
Enterprise Desktop workstations on your network so that users can log in to them using
their Novell eDirectory™ usernames and passwords instead of their local Linux work-
station usernames and passwords. Using LUM and eDirectory to manage user login
information eliminates the need to create local users in the /etc/passwd and /etc/
shadow files on each SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop workstation. It also simplifies
user account management by consolidating user accounts into a central point of admin-
istration.
You can use eDirectory tools and technologies to manage access to Linux resources on
the network. After authenticating, users have the rights and privileges specified in
eDirectory. These are the same rights and privileges that are typically stored in a local
account or redirected to other authentication methods, such as NIS. The user account
information stored in eDirectory lets users access file and printer resources on your
network.
Users can log in to SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop workstations using access methods
such as login, ftp, ssh, su, rsh, rlogin, xdm (KDE), and gdm (GNOME). They only need
to enter an eDirectory username and password. They do not need to remember the full
context—LUM searches out the correct user in eDirectory.
This section guides you through the steps required to set up a SUSE Linux Enterprise
Desktop workstation to use eDirectory authentication, which includes configuring the
SUSE Linux Enterprise Desktop workstation for eDirectory authentication and enabling
users on the eDirectory server. For more detailed information on LUM and on config-
uring your eDirectory 8.6. x, 8.7. x, or 8.8. x server to use LUM, see the Novell Linux
Configuring eDirectory Authentication
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Troubleshooting
