rhosts(4) Kernel Interfaces Manual rhosts(4)
NAME
rhosts, .rhosts - Specifies remote users that can use a local user account
SYNOPSIS
$HOME/.rhosts
DESCRIPTION
The .rhosts file contains a list of remote users who are not required to supply a login password when they execute the rcp, rlogin, and rsh
commands using a local user account.
The .rhosts file is a hidden file in your home directory. It must be owned by you or the root user and it must not be writable by group or
world, otherwise, it is not used. Moreover, although it is not required, it is sensible to set the permissions of the file to 600, so the
file is not readable by group or world.
Each entry in the file is of the following form: host [user]
where: The name of the remote host. If the remote host is in a different domain than the local host, the full domain name must be speci-
fied. The login name of the remote user. This field is optional. If this field is not specified, any user on the specified remote host is
exempt from providing a password, and is assumed to have the same username on both the local and remote hosts.
Optionally, an NIS netgroup name can be specified for the host name, user name, or both.
Entries in the .rhosts file are either positive or negative. Positive entries allow access; negative entries deny access. The following
entries are positive: hostname username +@netgroup
In addition, the plus sign (+) can be used in place of the hostname or username. In place of the hostname, it means any remote host. In
place of the username, it means any user.
The following entries are negative: -hostname -username -@netgroup
EXAMPLES
The following sample entries in the /u/chen/.rhosts file on host zeus allow users moshe and pierre at remote host venus and user robert at
the hosts specified in the NIS netgroup chicago to log in to user chen's home directory on host zeus: venus moshe venus pierre +@chicago
robert
FILES
Specifies remote users who can use a local user account.
RELATED INFORMATION
Commands: rcp(1), rlogin(1), rsh(1).
Functions: ruserok(3).
Files: hosts.equiv(4), netgroup(4).
Functions: rcmd(3). delim off
rhosts(4)