SUMMARY: need very long entries in /etc/group

From: Joel L. Seber ... CH210 (JLS2013@TNTECH.BITNET)
Date: Fri Nov 13 1992 - 10:04:15 CST


The answer was something I would not have thought about trying...
 
Jim Davis (jdavis@noao.edu) said it first:
 
>I think the standard workaround is
>
>mygroup1:*:101 name1,name2,...,namen
>mygroup2:*:101 namen+1,namen+2,...
>
>which leaves everyone with the same GID.
 
Which it does.
 
Others mentioned netgroups, but this approach keeps everything in
one file and does what I need.
 
There were over 30 replies, so I won't enumerate them here. Very much
thanks to everyone!!
 
My original query:
 
>Configuration: Sun Sparcstation 1,1+,2,IPC
> SUNOS 4.1.1b
> All networked, using NIS
> Approx. 1000 users per semester
>
>Background:
> I have a need to allow a significant number of users access to a given
>software package. I would like to simply assign a group ID to the software
>package that allows only users in that group access to the package.
>However, the users span several existing groups, and I can't move them out
>of those groups.
>
> There is apparently a length limit on the number of characters in a
>group definition in /etc/group. I have tried both
>
>mygroup:*:101: user1,user2,
> user3,user4 ... (i.e., without continuation codes),
>
>and
>
>mygroup:*:101: user1,user2 \
> user3,user4 ... (i.e., with continuation codes).
>
>I found the latter is the correct method. My problem is, I have more users
>than will fit. I get the message 'entry too long' when I exceed the limit,
>and through testing with the 'ckgrp' command. I have looked in the manuals
>and the last sun-managers FAQ that I have, with no results.
>
>
>My question:
> Is there a way to have a very long group entry, or must I write a
>front end for the software package and check a user list of my own design?
>I am prepared to do the latter, but would much prefer using a group if at
>all possible.
>
>Please mail responses to me directly, and I will summarize.
>
>Thanks in advance,
>
>
Joel L. Seber | Dry humor is wasted around here.
SUN Workstation Laboratory Manager |
Center for Manufacturing Research | -Joel L. Seber
      and Technology Utilization |
Tennessee Technological University | recursive, adj.
Cookeville, TN 38505 | See 'recursive'
                                        |
jls2013@tntech.edu |
 



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