In a multi-user environment like your Freedom server provides, many different users can be logged into your Freedom account simultaneously. The key to managing multiple users is to ensure that each user is able to modify his or her individual environment, without affecting the settings of any other user unless given specific authorization to do so. You can manage the users on your server either through command-line tools or through the VAdmin Web interface.
This chapter introduces the following terms:
User - An individual who interacts with your Freedom server through a service such as email, FTP, or the shell.
User account - An established relationship between a user and your Freedom server. Access to a user account requires a username and password. By default, new users are only able to modify their own accounts.
Administrative user account – The user account that was originally set up for you when you ordered your Freedom server.
Special user group - A special group of users with a predefined set of permissions for the purpose of administering some aspect of your server. Users can be added to a special user group via the vuserpriv command.
SECURITY ALERT:
Because of the powers given to the members of the special user groups, you should never make anyone a member of any of the special user groups unless you trust them completely. The administrative user account derives its power from being a member of all of the special user groups.
Root user (Available on the Freedom 400x and above) - Also known as the Superuser, the root user is able to perform any task on the system without restriction. Because the superuser is unrestricted in this way, we recommend that you perform everyday tasks as your administrative user account and use the root user account only when absolutely necessary. This is because of the fact that careless use of the superuser account can cause irreparable damage to your Freedom server.
Users can be added to one or more of the special user groups we have created for you for the purpose of administering your Freedom account. Members of the special user groups are able to administer various aspects of your Freedom account by issuing powerful commands known as super commands. As the administrative user of your Freedom account, you are automatically a member of all of the special user groups.
The Freedom 400x and above include a special user called root, also known as the Superuser. The root user has the power to do everything on the system without restriction. This distinction makes the root user very powerful and potentially very destructive, and for this reason the root account should never be used for day-to-day tasks that can otherwise be performed as another user.
As a convenience, your Freedom server includes special user groups that can perform many of the administrative tasks on your Freedom account, without the need for root access. There are, however, certain tasks that require the use of the root account.