afs

In the previous post, I mentioned that AFS denies access to your files when you do not have a token. This is still true, but apparently, you are able to launch both at and cron jobs using keytabs. This is a file, residing outside of the AFS realm, containing the password in some processed form (so the password is not available in clear text). Keytabs are created by the system administrator.

People at our department are often running jobs that take multiple days to complete. A good way to keep a job going is to use the screen tool. This allows one to keep running a shell even when not connected to the machine for a while, and to reconnect to that session when you login on the machine once more. Simple, lean and mean.

Rejoice! I received a mail announcing my home directory and the files on it from the ELIS department would be moved to and AFS share.

I would need to change my password, and a new one was kindly sent to me in clear text. Nevermind the fact that accounts had been compromised easily in the past by sniffers installed on the local network, clear text clearly is the chosen way to distribute passwords, especially if users need to be moved to a more secure environment.