Hi!

I wanted to change authentication options in
1) /etc/pam.d directory files common-password, common-auth, common-account
2) /etc/login.defs - PASS* fields

I know the fields that need to be changed but what I could not find was
a) commands that change these options similar to useradd\usermod and so on but those which can change system wide settings
b) API that can change these options (C API)

I have almost accepted that there in fact aren't such things. You have to manually update the files. I would prefer not though.

So I am asking here as last attempt to find such commands\API. Please let me know if they are available.

Thanks in advance,
-Neel.

1. authconfig depending on what you're trying to do
2. use 'useradd -D -K ...' to change the defaults for new accounts, login.defs will not affect existing users.

hth