33.0 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 workstation 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 administration.

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 their familiar eDirectory username and password. They do not have to remember their full context—LUM searches out the correct user in eDirectory.

This chapter 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 configuring your eDirectory 8.6.x, 8.7.x, or 8.8.x server to use LUM, see the Novell Linux User Management Technology Guide.