Index for Section 3

Alphabetical listing for P

Bottom of page

passlen(3)
NAME
  passlen - Determines minimum password length (Enhanced Security)

LIBRARY
  Security Library - libsecurity.so

SYNOPSIS
  #include <sys/types.h>
  #include <sys/security.h>
  #include <prot.h>
  int passlen(
	  time_t life_dur,
	  time_t login_delay,
	  int alphabet_size);

PARAMETERS
  life_dur  Specifies the password lifetime duration for an account (in
	    seconds).

  login_delay
	    Specifies the amount of time (in seconds) between login attempts.

  alphabet_size
	    Specifies the number of distinct characters that can be used in a
	    password.

DESCRIPTION
  The passlen() function takes the password lifetime duration life_dur for an
  account and the login_delay between login attempts, both values in seconds,
  and the alphabet_size of distinct characters, and returns the minimum
  password length according to the algorithm in the DoD Password Management
  Guideline (the Green Book).  The parameter that specifies the probability
  of guessing a password is fixed to the value of 1 chance in a million.

NOTES
  If the life_dur or prob_guess parameters change in the protected password
  database for this account (or for the system default if those values are
  used in an account), it is a good idea to invalidate the password in case
  the new parameters require a longer minimum password length.

  Programs using this function must be compiled with -lsecurity.

RELATED INFORMATION
  Functions: randomword(3), exp(3), floor(3).


  Commands: passwd(1).

Index for Section 3

Alphabetical listing for P

Top of page