topic moving users and group in Operating System - HP-UX

moving users and group

Simon Qu — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 09:16:11 GMT

I am in the process of installing an HP UX 11i Server and need some help on how to copy and restore all users and groups including users templates to other server.

Thanks in advance for your help

Re: moving users and group

A. Clay Stephenson — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 09:23:58 GMT

If it is an untrusted system then simply copy /etc/passwd, /etc/group, and /home to the new box (assumming that all the users' home directories are in /home). If it is a trusted system then transfer the same files plus the /tcb directory tree.

NOTE: Before doing anything, make backup copies of all the original files on the new box AND be logged in as root in at least two sessions so that you can get yourself out of trouble almost as fast as you got yourself in.

Re: moving users and group

Peter Godron — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 09:27:39 GMT

Simon,
first question :
Is this a trusted system ?

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Re: moving users and group

Peter Godron — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 09:29:30 GMT

Simon,
for trusted system, please see this earlier thread:
http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=982931

Re: moving users and group

Simon Qu — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 09:32:30 GMT

where to check if it is a trusted or untrusted system?

Re: moving users and group

Peter Godron — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 09:36:47 GMT

Hi,
look for the /tcb directory.

More in this thread:
http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/questionanswer.do?threadId=1056586

Re: moving users and group

Simon Qu — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 09:37:22 GMT

I got it. when I went to SAM -> System Security Policies it asked me to convert to trusted system so the system is still untrusted.

Thanks all of you guys for your help

Re: moving users and group

Manuela Italia — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 09:47:47 GMT

remember also to check and copy /etc/nsswitch.conf file, because it involves nsswitch functionality
including passwd and group.
Check also uid/gid conflict between new and old system.

bye,
manu

Re: moving users and group

Simon Qu — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 10:24:37 GMT

I have now all users and group but I am missing the user templates. is it possible to copy it from the old box ?

Re: moving users and group

A. Clay Stephenson — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 10:32:45 GMT

You will need to define templates as that is not a standard UNIX term. If you mean profiles then those should be handled by moving the /home directory tree. You may also need to move the contents to /etc/skel but these files (if any) are used when new users are added to the system.

Re: moving users and group

Simon Qu — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 10:39:01 GMT

what I meant by template is when I create a user from SAM I do select user template before ading user to the system

Re: moving users and group

A. Clay Stephenson — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 11:04:34 GMT

Oh, those templates. Real admins don't use SAM to add users but you need to copy the /var/sam/ug and /var/sam/ug_subareas directory trees to the new box.

Re: moving users and group

Simon Qu — Wed, 18 Apr 2007 12:11:47 GMT

thanks Clay. I am not a real admin but just learning

Re: moving users and group

Reshma Malusare — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 00:15:58 GMT

Hi simon,
As u checked it is untrusted system, so simply copy /etc/password,/etc/group/,/home.
Take backup of this files before it.
Also, yes admin normally used commands rather SAM. As it helps in analysis & its best practice to use.
but as you said you are not admin, then SAM will be easier for you to handle all.

Thanks & Regards
Reshma

Re: moving users and group

Reshma Malusare — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 00:22:23 GMT

Hi,

Please also read:
http://forums1.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/helptips.do?#33 on how to reward any useful answers given to your questions.