setting idle timeout period

[JAYAMOHAN.V.D]

hi all,
i would like to log off the users who are idle for more than a defined time. can we automate this processes ?
i know about the TMOUT which we can set in the .profile. But as per this, it logs off the user if there is no keyboard activity for that define period. i think it will create problem to the users who is doing time consuming processes. is there any alternate method to do this ? please help.

[Steve Steel]

Hi

The man page defines

TMOUT
If set to a value greater than zero, the shell will terminate if a command is not entered within the prescribed number of seconds after issuing the PS1 prompt. (Note that the shell can be compiled with a
maximum bound for this value which cannot be exceeded.)


This means that TMOUT is only valid at the shell prompt so any active process is not affected.

Thus it is ok for you.

steve Steel

[Michael Tully]

Hi,

Unless the the user is using some sort of application that hae the ability to time them out gracefully, then no, the alternative is to use the 'TMOUT' variable available in the shell.

-Michael

[Wodisch]

Hello,

what you look for is something like the "idled" (idle daemon), which checks for inactive sessions (not caring about what program the users run, resp. NOT use).
You should get it from the usual open source servers without problems...

HTH,
Wodisch