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user1092608
Asked: 2013-04-06 06:47:54 +0800 CST

Consequences of moving linux users home to non default directory

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I'am wondering what the consequences in linux can be when we assign non default home directory to the users. So, use e.g. /encrypted-home/user instead of /home (that is, btw, also the reason why i am asking) I've already noticed that X-server doesn't function properly and additional configuration is required (i.e. cannot connect to X server). What else could be a potential source of issues? Is changing default home dir a good practice?

thanks

linux

1 Answers

  1. Best Answer

    If the home directory is properly set in /etc/passwd (or LDAP etc.) for a given user, there should be no consequence at all for any well-maintained system. Of course, if you run something that expects the home directory to be /home/username instead of $HOME (or other ways to get the actual home dir), you might run into trouble but such a thing is not worth using anyway. Even with X11, I never experienced any issues with non-standard home directories. What do you mean with "additional config is required"?

    Of course you have to make sure that e.g. /encrypted-home is backed up as well.

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