Hello Linux Networking Forum,

I have an HP workstation running Red Hat Linux 5 that is currently configured for a static IP connection. I wish to keep the existing network configuration, but I want to be able to use the workstation and log into my accounts when I am not connected to the network. I have tried using the following methods to disable the network with no success:

1. I set the "ONBOOT" parameter of the ifcfg-eth0 file to "no".
2. I set the "Networking" parameter in the /etc/sysconfig/network file to "no".
3. I moved the /etc/resolv.conf file to /etc/resolv.conf.OFF
4. I used the ifdown eth0 command.

If I am on the network, I have no problem logging into my user accounts. If I am off the network, I cannot log onto my accounts. How can I disable the network config from the workstation so that I can log onto my accounts without being connected to the network?

Thank you for your help.

My guess is the ifdown should have dropped the nic. What happens they you do that? (assuming you have permissions)


I am not sure I understand the last part.

Does your user exist in /etc/passwd? Are you using LDAP or some sort of network based authentication for your account of other services/configuration on the machine?

The issue that I am running into is that I cannot logon as root or as any other user. I had no problem logging into the controller when it was on the network. Now that it is not on the network, I cannot log on.

When I log on as root, I get an error message that says "No profile for user 'root' found". However, when I go to single level user mode, I do find the /root/bash_profile file. All my accounts are local and listed in /etc/passwd.

The workstation is currently configured for NIS. Are there specific files that I need to edit to disable NIS dependencies? Thank you for your help.

Is nis enabled in /etc/nsswitch.conf? If so what order compared to files and which options are enabled for it?

Could it be possible that user credentials are on a networked drive?

Please post the output of the following:

1. # cat /etc/passwd
2. # ifconfig -a
3. # cat /etc/nsswitch.conf
4. # cat /etc/ldap.conf
5. # cat /etc/openldap/ldap.conf

The most likely scenario is that the "accounts" you're talking about are LDAP accounts and thus you cannot login into any of these when disconnected from the network.

In order to "disable" the network - do you mean your network interface OR network login requirements for and LDAP account as an example?

Cheers
Y