[SOLVED] How /etc/shadow file authenticates an user ?

niaz_ph · 02-09-2011, 05:37 AM

Hi,

i am new to debian. I need to know after booting sequence login shell appears to get username and password. so what happens when user puts username and password ?? how this given username and password are matched with /etc/shadow file ??

my another question is what is role of /etc/pam.d/ authenticating username and password ?? does it work with shadow file or not ?

thanx,
adn@n

appilu · 02-09-2011, 05:47 AM

Those files works for password encryption.Each fields in shadow file is separated with colon.
shadow file have entries related to password file
normally MD5-based algorithm is used.

niaz_ph · 02-09-2011, 10:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by appilu

Those files works for password encryption.Each fields in shadow file is separated with colon.
shadow file have entries related to password file
normally MD5-based algorithm is used.

Thanx for the reply....i like to know who encripts the password in /etc/shadow file ?? PAM or other module..??

appilu · 02-09-2011, 11:16 PM

hi,
may be the passwd application you are using to set the password uses this encryption.