Linux authentication with Active Directory using Kerberos 5
/home, Sweet /home
The home directories are configured in the line 20 of the smb.conf file shown in Listing 3: template homedir = /home/%D/%U. Samba will replace %D with the short domain name and %U with the domain user. The administrator can either create the directories individually for each user, or automate the process by calling the pam_mkhomedir module, which is part of the PAM distribution and is configured in the session section:
# /etc/pam.d/common-session session required pam_mkhomedir.so silent skel=/etc/skel/ umask=0022 session sufficient pam_krb5.so session required pam_unix.so
This configuration tells the module to dynamically create missing home directories. The silent argument suppresses messages caused by copying from the skeleton directory. The last argument tells PAM to set the umask as the default for file and directory permissions to 0022. The setting allows programs running in the session to create directories with rwxr-xr-x and files with rw-r--r-- permissions.
As an alternative to local directories on kerberized clients, you could use home directories on a central file server. The PAM pam_mount.so module helps you do this. Any generic commands you want to run after the login procedure are added to the start scripts in /etc/profile.
Fully Integrated
Serveral steps are required to support Active Directory automated log in and home directories on a Linux client, but with Kerberos, NSS, PAM, and Samba, this integration project will help you stay friends with your neighbors in Redmond.
Infos
- Heimdal Kerberos: http://www.h5l.org
- MIT Kerberos: http://web.mit.edu/kerberos/
- Shishi Kerberos: http://josefsson.org/shishi/
- Linux PAM: http://ftp.kernel.org/pub/linux/libs/pam/
- Pam-krb5: http://www.eyrie.org/~eagle/software/pam-krb5/
« Previous 1 2 3 4 5
Buy this article as PDF
(incl. VAT)
Buy Linux Magazine
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Support Our Work
Linux Magazine content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you’ve found an article to be beneficial.
News
-
The Gnome Foundation Struggling to Stay Afloat
The foundation behind the Gnome desktop environment is having to go through some serious belt-tightening due to continued financial problems.
-
Thousands of Linux Servers Infected with Stealth Malware Since 2021
Perfctl is capable of remaining undetected, which makes it dangerous and hard to mitigate.
-
Halcyon Creates Anti-Ransomware Protection for Linux
As more Linux systems are targeted by ransomware, Halcyon is stepping up its protection.
-
Valve and Arch Linux Announce Collaboration
Valve and Arch have come together for two projects that will have a serious impact on the Linux distribution.
-
Hacker Successfully Runs Linux on a CPU from the Early ‘70s
From the office of "Look what I can do," Dmitry Grinberg was able to get Linux running on a processor that was created in 1971.
-
OSI and LPI Form Strategic Alliance
With a goal of strengthening Linux and open source communities, this new alliance aims to nurture the growth of more highly skilled professionals.
-
Fedora 41 Beta Available with Some Interesting Additions
If you're a Fedora fan, you'll be excited to hear the beta version of the latest release is now available for testing and includes plenty of updates.
-
AlmaLinux Unveils New Hardware Certification Process
The AlmaLinux Hardware Certification Program run by the Certification Special Interest Group (SIG) aims to ensure seamless compatibility between AlmaLinux and a wide range of hardware configurations.
-
Wind River Introduces eLxr Pro Linux Solution
eLxr Pro offers an end-to-end Linux solution backed by expert commercial support.
-
Juno Tab 3 Launches with Ubuntu 24.04
Anyone looking for a full-blown Linux tablet need look no further. Juno has released the Tab 3.