UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

OS: Linux version 2.6.32-33-server - Ubuntu 4.4.3-4ubuntu5

limits.conf:root - maxlogins 2

doesn't work here on this machine. any idea what can be the reason?

is it right to limit every user to '2' with: * hard maxlogins 2 ?

---------- Post updated 29-02-12 at 09:37 AM ---------- Previous update was 28-02-12 at 10:50 AM ----------

additionally the 'maxsyslogins' option doesn't work for root.
please help - I want to restrict access to max of 2 users at a time...

Truly I find that stupid...
If you were to limit root access (very good, we all do that...) start by allowing root connection to console only ( Yes only one! ), then users entitled to use root account would have to use su, or sudo...
You can then monitor who did su or sudo in their respective logs...
For "How to", there are plenty of threads on the subject on unix.com, do a bit of search!

I thought about this but then I imagined a situation when e.g. tty1 freezes with root logged in.
I don't want to restart a system if it isn't really necessary - that's why I want to log in 2 times as root.

I've read about it but it doesn't work like expected:

- root can login as much as he/she like although I've inserted the line showed here in 1st post
- maxsyslogins doesn't take root logins in effect

in manual there is explained:
To set a limit for the root user, this field must contain the literal username root.
maybe my english isn't good enough to convert the meaning into the right config line...

First question is do you have a console attached?
then it is not playing with maxlogins but on unix system you have a file called securetty (look at the man pages...) which when exist says where root is allowed to connect, here e.g. on an HP I administer:

Code:

ran:/opt/HDVM/bin/logs $ more /etc/securetty
console
ran:/opt/HDVM/bin/logs $ ll /etc/securetty  
-r--r--r--   1 root       sys              8 Oct  3  2001 /etc/securetty

Now except on the console you cannot connect as root, you can only su...

When do you really need to log in as root? when the machine has crashed or in single user (no more network then...) and so you are at the console...

[QUOTE=vbe;302603148]First question is do you have a console attached? then it is not playing with maxlogins [quote]

when is limits.conf taking effect?

Please excuse me - I don't understand.
I want to setup my system without any X and am working just on console.

Why isn't it possible to limit count of root logins in console?

EDIT: Ok, guess I can imagine a situation when this will cause a problem for the admin.