1

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

user1092608
  • 719
  • 2
  • 7
  • 12

1 Answers1

2

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.

Sven
  • 97,248
  • 13
  • 177
  • 225
  • ok thanks. The case where apps use hard-coded links, will be taken care of by creating a link between /home/user and /ecrypted-home/user – user1092608 Apr 05 '13 at 15:15
  • I just did some tests. I noticed that one of the Drawbacks is SELinux, which can become a tricky configuration. – user1092608 Apr 06 '13 at 09:18