Login Name Length

Support knowledgebase (ke_loginname)
Applies to

SuSE Linux: All versions

Symptom:

useradd does not allow to create accounts whose login name is longer than 8 characters:

        useradd: invalid user name 'long_name'

Cause:

Many programs cannot work with names longer than 8 characters.

Solution:

Unfortunately, you have to learn to live with this limitation. Please do not try to circumvent this restriction manually (e.g. editing the file /etc/passwd) or by means of YaST.

Remark I

Thanks to the sendmail package, users can be reached per e-mail under their whole names (e.g. as name.surname@do.main). This feature can also be implemented with the corresponding entry in the file /etc/mail/aliases.

Remark II

Do not use uppercase, blanks, special characters or semi-graphical characters such as hyphens in the login name.


Keywords: LOGIN, USER NAME, LOGIN NAME, PASSWD, USERADD, USER ADMINISTRATION

SDB-ke_loginname, Copyright SuSE Linux AG, Nürnberg, Germany - Version: 17. Nov 1997
SuSE Linux AG - Last generated: 04. Jul 2002 by ke (sdb_gen 1.40.0)