Using the Solaris Management Tools With RBAC (Task Map)

This task map describes the tasks you will need to perform, if you want to use the RBAC security features to perform administration tasks, rather than use the superuser account.

The following sections provide overview information and step-by-step instructions for using the Solaris Management Console and the RBAC security features.

If You Are the First to Log In to the Console

If you are the first administrator to log in to the console, start the console as a user (yourself). Then, log in as superuser. This method gives you complete access to all of the console tools.

Here are the general steps to follow, depending on whether you are using RBAC:

• Without RBAC – If you choose not to use RBAC, continue working as superuser. All other administrators will also need root access to perform their jobs.

• With RBAC – You will need to do the following:

  • If you do not already have an account, set up your user account.

  • Create the role called Primary Administrator.

  • Assign the Primary Administrator right to the role that you are creating.

  • Assign your user account to this role.

    For step-by-step instructions on creating the Primary Administrator role, see How to Create the First Role (Primary Administrator).

    For an overview of how RBAC works, see Chapter 9, Using Role-Based Access Control (Tasks), in System Administration Guide: Security Services.

Creating the Primary Administrator Role

An administrator role is a special user account. Users who assume a role are permitted to perform a predefined set of administrative tasks.

The Primary Administrator role is permitted to perform all administrative functions, similar to superuser.

If you are superuser, or a user who is assuming the Primary Administrator role, you can define which tasks other administrators are permitted to perform. With the help of the Add Administrative Role wizard, you can create a role, grant rights to the role, and then specify which users are permitted to assume that role. A right is a named collection of commands, or authorizations, for using specific applications. A right enables you to perform specific functions within an application. The use of rights can be granted or denied by an administrator.

The following table describes the information that you are prompted for when you create the Primary Administrator role.

Table 2-2 Field Descriptions for Adding a Role by Using the Solaris Management Console

For detailed information about RBAC and instructions on how to use roles to create a more secure environment, see Role-Based Access Control (Overview) in System Administration Guide: Security Services.

How to Create the First Role (Primary Administrator)

This procedure describes how to create the Primary Administrator role and then assign it to your user account. This procedure assumes that your user account is already created.

1. Start the console as yourself.

   % /usr/sadm/bin/smc &

   For additional information about starting the console, see How to Start the Console as Superuser or as a Role.

   The console online help provides more information about creating a user account for yourself.

2. Click the This Computer icon in the Navigation pane.
3. Click System Configuration ->Users -> Administrative Roles.
4. Click Action ->Add Administrative Role.

   The Add Administrative Role wizard opens.

5. Create the Primary Administrator role with the Administrative Role wizard by following these steps:
   1. Identify the role name, which includes the full role name, description, role ID number, role shell, and whether you want to create a role mailing list. Click Next.
   2. Set and confirm the role password, then click Next.
   3. Select the Primary Administrator right from the Available Rights column, add it to Granted Rights column.
   4. Click Next.
   5. Select the home directory for the role, then click Next.
   6. Assign yourself to the list of users who can assume the role, then click Next.

   If necessary, see Table 2-2 for a description of the role fields.

6. Click Finish.

How to Assume the Primary Administrator Role

After you have created the Primary Administrator role, you will need to log in to the console as yourself, and then assume the Primary Administrator role. When you assume a role, you take on all of the attributes of that role, including the rights. At the same time, you relinquish all of your own user properties.

1. Start the console.

   % /usr/sadm/bin/smc &

   For information about starting the console, see How to Start the Console as Superuser or as a Role.

2. Log in with your user name and password.

   A list shows which roles you are permitted to assume.

3. Log in to the Primary Administrator role and provide the role password.