Solaris

what is the meaning of the character x in /etc/shadow file
which is lying in the encrypted password column..
i need this urgently

It depends:

Code:

bin:x:6445::::::
oracle:$1$MExuvzum$z22J9toZXFyPEl2hpi.0H0:14376::::::

That field is the "encrypted" password. An x by itself as on the first line is an impossible value. It means that the account is locked because no password that can be given would match the x. The second line is a valid password field. It happens to contain an x. But this account is not locked. A valid password is possible. (Actually I fiddled with the field before I posted it publicly so it might be an impossible value too.)

its an passwd when u r comming to /etc/passwd it will be a link column

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its an encrypted passwd it follows diff types of algrtm to encrypt u can observe them in /etc/security profile file