Linux userid syntax requirements don't allow id to begin with a number

bret · 09-30-2005, 12:58 PM

Hi there,

I am currently setting up my linux box to use kerberos & Active Directory. My problem is that under AD, we have our ids all starting with a numeric. I have tried defining a userid on Linux that begins with a numeric to no avail. Is there a way to define userids on Linux that begin with a numeric?

e.g. 03david

Thanks,

Bret Goodfellow

druuna · 10-01-2005, 06:26 AM

Hi,

Finding proof is harder then I thought (looks like shadow suite is the main reason for this). Some mention it in scripts/text, but none of it is 'official'.

It is not possible to use usernames that start with a number, uids should be all numbers (and are, mostly, automatically assigned).

Hope this clears things up.

bret · 02-02-2006, 04:38 PM

I have discovered that if I update /etc/passwd directly, for any new userids (that begin with a numeric), and then copy /etc/skel to the new user's home directory, then it works!!

"useradd" will not allow this.