The default password syntax requires a minimum password length of eight characters and that no trivial words are used in the password. A trivial word is any value stored in the uid, cn, sn, givenName, ou, or mailattributes of the user's entry.

Additionally, other forms of password syntax enforcement are possible, providing different optional categories for the password syntax:

•Minimum required number of characters in the password (passwordMinLength)

•Minimum number of digit characters, meaning numbers between zero and nine (passwordMinDigits)

•Minimum number of ASCII alphabetic characters, both upper- and lower-case (passwordMinAlphas)

•Minimum number of uppercase ASCII alphabetic characters (passworMinUppers)

•Minimum number of lowercase ASCII alphabetic characters (passwordMinLowers)

•Minimum number of special ASCII characters, such as !@#$ (passwordMinSpecials)

•Minimum number of 8-bit characters (passwordMin8bit)

•Maximum number of times that the same character can be immediately repeated, such as aaabbb (passwordMaxRepeats)

•Minimum number of character categories required per password; a category can be upper- or lower-case letters, special characters, digits, or 8-bit characters (passwordMinCategories)

The more categories of syntax required, the stronger the password.

By default, password syntax checking is disabled.

8.6.2.7Password length

The password policy can require a minimum length for user passwords. In general, shorter passwords are easier to crack. A good length for passwords is eight characters. This is long enough to be difficult to crack but short enough that users can remember the password without writing it down. The valid range of values for this attribute is from two to 512 characters.

By default, no minimum password length is set.

8.6.2.8Password minimum age

The password policy can prevent users from changing their passwords for a specified time. When used in conjunction with the passwordHistory attribute, users are discouraged from reusing old passwords.

For example, if the password minimum age (passwordMinAge) attribute is two days, users cannot repeatedly change their passwords during a single session. This prevents them from cycling through the password history so that they can reuse an old password.

The valid range of values for this attribute is from zero to 24,855 days. A value of zero (0) indicates that the user can change the password immediately.

8.6.2.9Password history

The Directory Server can store from two to 24 passwords in the password history; if a password is in the history, a user cannot reset his password to that old password. This prevents users from reusing a couple of passwords that are easy to remember. Alternatively, the password history can be disabled, thus allowing users to reuse passwords.

The passwords remain in history even if the password history is off so that if the password history is turned back on, users cannot reuse the passwords that were in the history before the password history was disabled.

The server does not maintain a password history by default.

8.6 Designing a password policy 115

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HP UX Direry Server manual Password length, Password minimum age, Password history
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UX Direry Server specifications

HP UX Directory Server is a robust and scalable solution designed for managing directory information within enterprise networks. Developed by Hewlett-Packard (HP), this server offers an extensive set of features tailored to meet the needs of organizations that require an efficient way to store, manage, and retrieve identity and access data.

One of the key features of HP UX Directory Server is its ability to handle large directories with significant volumes of data. Built on a highly optimized architecture, it provides excellent performance and can support millions of entries without sacrificing speed or reliability. This capability makes it an ideal choice for large-scale deployments in enterprises that require high availability and responsiveness.

In addition to its scalability, HP UX Directory Server supports a wide range of protocols, including LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol), which ensures seamless integration with diverse applications and systems across various platforms. The server maintains standards compliance, which facilitates interoperability and simplifies administration tasks.

Security is a top priority for HP UX Directory Server, offering an array of features to protect sensitive information. It supports secure data transmission via TLS/SSL protocols, ensuring encrypted communication between clients and servers. Advanced access controls allow administrators to define fine-grained permissions, helping to safeguard directory data against unauthorized access.

Another salient feature of HP UX Directory Server is its replication capabilities. The server can replicate directory data across multiple instances, ensuring data consistency and availability in distributed environments. This feature is essential for businesses operating across different geographical locations or requiring failover solutions for disaster recovery.

HP UX Directory Server also comes equipped with tools for data management, including an intuitive administration console for configuring and monitoring the server. Additionally, it offers customizable schema capabilities, enabling organizations to tailor the directory structure to fit their specific needs.

Integration with existing identity management solutions is streamlined through connectors and APIs, allowing organizations to extend their directory services and enhance user experience.

In summary, HP UX Directory Server is a powerful directory management solution that combines scalability, security, and integration flexibility. Its support for industry standards, advanced replication, and comprehensive administrative tools makes it an essential asset for organizations seeking to manage identity and access efficiently. By leveraging this technology, businesses can improve their operational efficiency and ensure a secure and organized approach to directory management.
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