fingerd(1M)            UNIX System V(Internet Utilities)            fingerd(1M)


NAME
      fingerd, in.fingerd - remote user information server

SYNOPSIS
      in.fingerd

DESCRIPTION
      fingerd implements the server side of the Name/Finger protocol, specified
      in RFC 742.  The Name/Finger protocol provides a remote interface to
      programs which display information on system status and individual users.
      The protocol imposes little structure on the format of the exchange
      between client and server.  The client provides a single command line to
      the finger server which returns a printable reply.

      fingerd waits for connections on TCP port 79.  Once connected it reads a
      single command line terminated by a <RETURN-LINE-FEED> which is passed to
      finger(1).  fingerd closes its connections as soon as the output is
      finished.

      If the line is null (only a RETURN-LINEFEED is sent) then finger returns
      a default report that lists all users logged into the system at that
      moment.

      If a user name is specified (for instance, eric<RETURN-LINE-FEED>) then
      the response lists more extended information for only that particular
      user, whether logged in or not.  Allowable names in the command line
      include both login names and user names.  If a name is ambiguous, all
      possible derivations are returned.

FILES
      /var/utmp           who is logged in
      /etc/passwd         for users' names
      /var/adm/lastlog    last login times
      $HOME/.plan         plans
      $HOME/.project      projects

SEE ALSO
      finger(1)

      Harrenstien, Ken, NAME/FINGER, RFC 742, Network Information Center, SRI
      International, Menlo Park, Calif., December 1977

NOTES
      Connecting directly to the server from a TIP or an equally narrow-minded
      TELNET-protocol user program can result in meaningless attempts at option
      negotiation being sent to the server, which will foul up the command line
      interpretation.  fingerd should be taught to filter out IAC's and perhaps
      even respond negatively (IAC will not) to all option commands received.






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