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Old 01-04-2008, 07:14 AM   #1
honey bee
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Question Shadow file


Hello,

Why we have reserved field in shadow file, for what purpose it is used?.Its description says that it is for future use, can anyone give any example for what type of work it is used?
 
Old 01-04-2008, 07:26 AM   #2
colucix
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Well... in modern linux distros the shadow file stores the encrypted passwords and is readable by root only. This should prevent normal users from attempting a malicious decryption of the stored passwords.
 
Old 01-04-2008, 07:45 AM   #3
ilikejam
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Hi.

The reserved field is just that - reserved. At the moment, it doesn't do anything, it's just defined in case someone comes up with a good idea for what to put there. It's possible it does something in other Unix types, though.

Dave
 
Old 01-04-2008, 08:30 AM   #4
colucix
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Uh... sorry... I missed the focus of the question. Thanks ilikejam for posting the correct answer.
 
Old 01-05-2008, 04:14 AM   #5
honey bee
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Smile

Thank you for explaining
 
  


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