hpdb user

[David Lodge]

One of the 'standard' users on HP-UX is the 'hpdb' user.

What is this user used for? As standard there are no files owned by it and no processes owned by it.

What is the impact of just removing it?

[James R. Ferguson · Accepted solution]

Hi David:

Knowledge Base document #KBRC00007343 addresses this question.

In part, the document notes "
Allbase/SQL requires the existance of hpdb, if your Customer does not use Allbase/SQL and has no intention of installing it then they don't need this user.".

The whole document is worth reading.

...JRF...

[Bill McNAMARA_1]

The Allbase Database Administrator, hpdb
The Database Administrator (hpdb) must create, configure, and establish a connection with a new DBEnvironment before any other database activities can be executed. Therefore, the directory that will contain the DBE must have write permissions set for hpdb. The hpdb user has a user id number of 27 and a group id number of 2 on the system. The line:
hpdb:*:27:2:hpdb ALLBASE/HP-UX:/usr/bin:/bin/csh

should be added to the /etc/passwd file. The asterisk in the password field prevents logins by any remote users named hpdb. (I su'ed from root.) The hpdb user should be added to the bin group in the /etc/group file. The entry should look as follows:

bin::2:root,rootc,bin,daemon,lp,hpdb

The user id number of 27 has been reserved for the user name hpdb and is required to execute the ALLBASE program files. (See pg 1-24 of the ALLBASE/SQL Database Administration Guide.)



Later,
Bill

[David Lodge]

Essentially I can remove this user, as I do not use ALLBASE and don't intend to.

If this is just for the ALLBASE program why is this a default user? More HP-UX wierdness I suppose!

[Magdi KAMAL]

Hi,

It's also used by the hp support guys when connecting to the server to fix critical problems.

Magdi