LinuxQuestions.org - What are pseudo-tty devices? Is my /etc/securetty file contains any?

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What are pseudo-tty devices? Is my /etc/securetty file contains any?

Hi ,
I have searched wiki for pseudo tty devices but it was very complex for me to understand.
Can any one help me understanding concept behind pseudo-tty in layman language?
According to security manual of our org /etc/securetty files shouldn't have any pseudo tty devices.
i understand
ttyX
vc/X
are not tty devices but not sure about
console and xvc0 .
Please help.
I m posting the content of my /etc/securetty file.

Code:

]# cat /etc/securetty

console

vc/1

vc/2

vc/3

vc/4

vc/5

vc/6

vc/7

vc/8

vc/9

vc/10

vc/11

tty1

tty2

tty3

tty4

tty5

tty6

tty7

tty8

tty9

tty10

tty11

ttyS0

xvc0

Hi,

A simple definition of a pseudo device taken from here:

Quote:

...is a ``pseudo-terminal'' or simulated login port. It's used by incoming telnet and rlogin sessions, xterm, and some other applications such as emacs...

So it behaves like you are connected through a wired terminal attached to one of the serial ports (/dev/tty??) if that image helps you.

/dev/console is the server physical console so it shoud be listed there if you want to have root access to the server. /dev/xvc0 is a console when using Xen.

hope it helps.

best regards
jose