UNIX Hints & Hacks		ContentsIndex
Chapter 5: Account Management		Previous ChapterNext Chapter
Sections in this Chapter:     5.1 User Account Names   5.5 GECOS Field   5.9 User Account Startup Files   5.13 Finding My Display 5.2 Passwords   5.6 Home Directories   5.10 Using Aliases   5.14 Copy Files to Multiple Home Directories 5.3 UID   5.7 Shells and the Password File   5.11 MS-DOS Users   5.15 Kill an Account 5.4 Group IDs and /etc/group   5.8 Configuring an Account   5.12 Changing Shells   5.16 Nulling the Root Password Without vi		Previous SectionNext Section

5.5 GECOS Field

5.5.1 Description

The fifth field in the password file, not the name of a baseball playing field.

Example

Flavors: All

This is often referred to as the comments field. The GECOS field holds all the necessary contact information on a user. Each piece of information entered is delimited by a comma. The comma is an optional character that has been somewhat considered the standard; there isn't any well-defined syntax for this field yet. When the field is full of information it contains the following:

• User's full name or an Application name
• Building number and room location or contact person for the application
• Office telephone number
• Any other contact information (pager, fax, and so on)

Not all the information is required in the password file. In most environments you see the user's full name entered. If an application has an account on the system, provide necessary information in the field that helps an administrator contact the person if there is a problem with their application. Any part of the field can be used to provide information that helps in the future to administrate the account. Here are some useful ways to use this field.

root:NqM5kgsU0o./6:0:0:Root - Steve Mitchel,Bldg04,x5555:/root:/bin/tcsh
root-pt:4tK2yr/5.UWtI:0:0:Root - Paul Thomas,Bldg37,x1212:/root:/bin/tcsh
ftp:*:404:1:FTP Admin,Markus Martin,x4744:/home/ftp:/bin/bash
apache:ALlDn9wGSFY3Y:4000:40:Web GOD, Bill McAdam,x2010:/usr/local/httpd:/bin/tc
gtromero:Gjask2j340ff:100:12:Gloria Romero,x0413:/home/gtromero:/bin/bash
bxredmon:FC6XUtvRxVcWU:222:20:Bill Redmond:/home/bxredmond:/bin/csh

Reason

General Electric had a system that ran GECOS (General Electric Comprehensive Operating System). The original intent of this field was to hold the login information for batch jobs that were sent to the GECOS system.

Real World Experience

If you can keep all the information filled in and up to date, it provides a useful tool in the future. UNIX administrators are often the last to know about anything, including when employees exit the company. One thing that helps keep the list current and is good PR for you as an administrator is to call one person in the password file each and every day. I know a three-minute call is a lot to ask, because we don't get much time to take proactive steps. In large installations though, a three-minute phone call can tell you a wealth of information.

• Does the employee still work there?
• Is there a new user that has taken over the system?
• Is the system still in the same location?
• Is all the contact information correct?
• Is their system exhibiting any problems?
• Is the user experiencing any problems?

In some instances these simple questions can make you look like a hero in the eyes of the users. Sometimes a new user might have acquired the machine and didn't even know that there was help for them available. All because you wanted to update the information. I know in the end it sounds like you created more work for yourself, but the gratitude can outweigh the workload sometimes.

UNIX Hints & Hacks		ContentsIndex
Chapter 5: Account Management		Previous ChapterNext Chapter
Sections in this Chapter:     5.1 User Account Names   5.5 GECOS Field   5.9 User Account Startup Files   5.13 Finding My Display 5.2 Passwords   5.6 Home Directories   5.10 Using Aliases   5.14 Copy Files to Multiple Home Directories 5.3 UID   5.7 Shells and the Password File   5.11 MS-DOS Users   5.15 Kill an Account 5.4 Group IDs and /etc/group   5.8 Configuring an Account   5.12 Changing Shells   5.16 Nulling the Root Password Without vi		Previous SectionNext Section

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