Using Sudo

Common Knowledge: Pittsburgh has developed a server configuration that supports K-12 network needs. A project goal is to have a user administrator at each site responsible for creating accounts(teacher, student, staff, parent), changing passwords, changing the message of the day, etc. These functions requires Sudo privileges.

Sudo allows a permitted user to perform many actions not available to regular account users. Sudo users override the file permissions set up by normal users. All site coordinators have sudo privileges. The following describes how various tasks are accomplished using sudo.

To Reset a Password

At the UNIX prompt, type sudo passwd [userid]
At the password prompt, type in your regular password
Then follow the screen prompts.

To Change the Message of the Day

Type sudo pico /etc/motd

To Add an Account to Your Server

At the UNIX prompt, type sudo /usr/local/sbin/account_add
At Password prompt, type your regular password
Follow the script

To Change Group Memberships

At the UNIX prompt, type sudo pico /etc/group
At Password prompt, type your regular password

To Change Maildrop from cats1 to your server

At UNIX prompt, type setmaildrop [userid] [useraddress]
For example:

setmaildrop franklin franklin@hermia.woolslair.pps.pgh.pa.us