PAM Module Types

It is important to understand the PAM module types because the module type defines the interface to the module. These are the four types of run-time PAM modules:

• The authentication modules provide authentication for the users and allow for credentials to be set, refreshed, or destroyed. They provide a valuable administration tool for user identification.

• The account modules check for password aging, account expiration, and access hour restrictions. After the user is identified through the authentication modules, the account modules determine if the user should be given access.

• The session modules manage the opening and closing of an authentication session. They can log activity or provide for clean-up after the session is over.

• The password modules allow for changes to the actual password.