UDB

UDB is an acronym for User Database. It refers to CSE databases whose primary, but not sole, purpose is to supplement staff and student information provided by UNSW to allow the information to be used to manage CSE IT resources.

There are two UDB's:

The "new" UDB uses PostgreSQL and OpenLDAP (server).

The "old" UDB uses custom software developed in-house running over NIS/SunYP. Eventually, it is hoped, this will go away and the "only" UDB will then be the new UDB.

Making changes to the UDB

The primary method for making changes to the UDB is via the acc program. This is a command-line utility which can be used to view UDB content or add/modify content in the UDB.

Automated updates to the UDB

• SIMS (see UNSW Systems of Record)
• PIMS (see UNSW Systems of Record)
• Host = Synth

What is the UDB used for?

• User logins
• mlalias
• Resource access and allocation (e.g., special-purpose server access, other access privileges, disk quota)

Why supplement?

1. CSE lab computers, login servers and VLAB servers require a user name, a password, a numerical user ID (UID), a numerical group ID (GID)) and a home directory location for a user to log in. UNSW's systems only provide the first two of these. The last three must be provided by the UDB for user logins to be possible.