Virtual Private Server User Guide

User and Group Management

Chapter 2   User and Group Management

In the multi user environment your VPS server provides, many different users can 

be logged into your VPS server simultaneously. The key to managing multiple 

users is to ensure that each user is able to modify his or her individual 

environment, without affecting the settings of any other user unless given specific 

authorization to do so. You can manage the users on your server either through 

command line tools or through the VAdmin Web interface.

This chapter introduces the following terms:

   User   An individual who interacts with your VPS server through a service 

such as e mail, FTP, or the shell.

   User account   An established relationship between a user and your VPS 

server. Access to a user account requires a username and password. By 

default, new users are only able to modify their own accounts. 

   Administrative user account   The user account that was originally set up for 

you when you ordered your VPS server. 

   Special user group   A special group of users with a predefined set of 

permissions for the purpose of administering some aspect of your server. 

Users can be added to a special user group via the vuserpriv command. 

Warning! Because of the powers given to the members of the 

special user groups, you should never make anyone a member 

of any of the special user groups unless you trust them 

completely. The administrative user account derives its power 

from being a member of all of the special user groups.

   Root user (Available on VPS Root product only)   Also known as the 

Superuser, the root user is able to perform any task on the system without 

restriction. Because the superuser is unrestricted in this way, we recommend 

that you perform everyday tasks as your administrative user account and use 

the root user account only when absolutely necessary. This is because of the 

fact that careless use of the superuser account can cause irreparable 

damage to your VPS server.

Users can be added to one or more of the special user groups we have created 

for you for the purpose of administering your VPS server. Members of the special 

user groups are able to administer various aspects of your VPS server by issuing 

powerful commands known as super commands. As the administrative user of 

your VPS server, you are automatically a member of all of the special user groups.

Technical Training Department

August 2004

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