Basic server issue

[dndfan]

OK, first off a few things: I am a newbie in all things Linux and do not intend to do any of the things mentioned hereafter. I am merely asking if it is possible (would be cool :cool: ). I have never heard of anything similar, so I apologise if it has been discussed before (I would not know what to search for). This being said, a mere name or link would be enough to get me started reading if you don;t have the time.

I was thinking if it is possible to set up a network of Linux servers, where, instead of user accounts on each computer separately, one would have a single list of users, one home directory for each user, same mail spool etc. Users logging in to a computer would login to the entire netork. I have neither the intention, know-how or financial possibility of attempting this. Just curious if it is possible; it is quite an ideal setup for me -- sort of an utopia.

Thanks in advance and sorry for being so basic.

[jcliburn]

Yes, absolutely. Sun Microsystems pioneered this years ago with something called NIS (also called yp (yellowpages)) and NFS. Nowadays I suspect the most popular method would involve NFS-mounted or SAN-provided home directories, and an LDAP server.

[dndfan]

Thanks. That's what I was looking for and I found some information and links on Wikipedia.