Basic system configuration files

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This section is meant to give an overview of what the most common and important configuration files are. If you need to know more information about them, follow the links to other more in-depth sections.

Contents

[edit] Users and Groups

  • /etc/passwd
All local users, their shells, and their home directories are set in this file; altered by the adduser and moduser programs.
  • /etc/group
Groups and their memebers are set in this file; altered by the gpasswd program.
  • /etc/shadow
Passwords for users are encrypted and stored in this file; altered by the passwd program.
  • /etc/pam.d
All of PAM's (Pluggable Authentication Modules) files are stored under this folder. PAM controls who logs in, through what means, what is required, etc.
  • /etc/nsswitch.conf
NSS, or the Name Service Switch, sets up the sources for passwd, group, and shadow. Instead of obtaining the information from a local file, it could obtain it from an LDAP server instead.

[edit] Printing

[edit] CUPS

  • /etc/cups/cupsd.conf
This file is in charge of configuring the CUPS deamon. Things such as access control and other settings must be done here. For adding printers, modifying print queues, etc. use your browser and point to port 631 on the computer you wish to add a printer to. ex: http://localhost:631
GNOME and KDE also have built-in programs used to set up CUPS printers.

[edit] Task Scheduling

[edit] Cron

  • /etc/cron.*
Where * is daily, hourly, monthly, and weekly. Runs all scripts in these directories as the specified interval.
  • /etc/crontab
Configures more complicated Cron tasks to run at specified intervals.

[edit] Networking

  • /etc/hosts
Resolves a set list of host names to IP addresses.
  • /etc/resolv.conf
Lists DNS name servers as well as default domains to search under.
  • /etc/hostname
Sets the local host name for the local computer.

[edit] Filesystems

Describes the filesystems, whether local or remote, to be mounted on boot or later by issuing the mount command.

[edit] X-Windows

  • /etc/X11/{xorg.conf|XF86Config}
One of these files, depending on which Windowing System you use, configures your video card, monitor, and any input devices you use.

[edit] GDM/KDM

  • /etc/X11/{gdm|kdm}/{gdm|kdm}.conf
The GNOME/KDE Display Managers are used to present a graphical way to log in, instead of through the console. Each has their own setup progam: GDM is gdmsetup and KDE's is located in the Control Panel. Most users will find these programs sufficient for editing the configuration.
Retrieved from "http://learn.clemsonlinux.org/wiki/Basic_system_configuration_files"
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