Authentication Configuration; User Information - Red Hat ENTERPRISE LINUX 5 - DEPLOYMENT Deployment Manual

Chapter 26.

Authentication Configuration

When a user logs in to a Red Hat Enterprise Linux system, the username and password combination
must be verified, or authenticated, as a valid and active user. Sometimes the information to verify the
user is located on the local system, and other times the system defers the authentication to a user
database on a remote system.
The Authentication Configuration Tool provides a graphical interface for configuring user
information retrieval from NIS, LDAP, and Hesiod servers. This tool also allows you to configure
LDAP, Kerberos, and SMB as authentication protocols.
Note
If you configured a medium or high security level during installation (or with the Security
Level Configuration Tool), then the firewall will prevent NIS (Network Information
Service) authentication.
This chapter does not explain each of the different authentication types in detail. Instead, it explains
how to use the Authentication Configuration Tool to configure them.
To start the graphical version of the Authentication Configuration Tool from the desktop, select the
System (on the panel) > Administration > Authentication or type the command system-config-
authentication at a shell prompt (for example, in an XTerm or a GNOME terminal).
Important
After exiting the authentication program, the changes made take effect immediately.

26.1. User Information

The User Information tab allows you to configure how users should be authenticated, and has
several options. To enable an option, click the empty checkbox beside it. To disable an option, click
the checkbox beside it to clear the checkbox. Click OK to exit the program and apply the changes.
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