UNIX for Dummies Questions & Answers

Does anyone noe why /home n /packages r usually kept remotely..as in network base by administrators?is it because of security reasons???

thanks.

These kept remotely because:
1. It is much more convenient to have the same home directory on each machine rather than create and maintain new on each computer you connect to. So each user gets a link to his/her files and directories, no matter what is a host he/she is working on.
2. Packages kept in one place because they are many and constantly updated. So it is much better idea to keep one repository and as long as you have access to it over the network, you can apply them instantly on any machine in a network.
3. Security is also a consideration as you have come up with. As all home directories are consolidated you can run security tightening scripts and watch shell logs for a suspicious activity. In a case with packages it provides an assurance that not authorized packages have not been introduced.
You may find "UNIX Administrator handbook" and "UNIX Essentials and UNIX Core" DVD to be helpful with such questions.

Thanks for da info!!