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Status Not under consideration
Workspace IBM i
Categories IFS (Integrated File System) and Servers
Created by Guest
Created on Oct 30, 2017

RELATED IDEAS

IFS: Add attribute that objects created in that directory use the authority of the parent.

In the QSYS.LIB file system I can run
CHGLIB LIB(MYLIB) CRTAUT(MYAUTL)
and now any new object created in that library will have the authority as per the authorization list MYAUTL.
I am looking for something similar for the IFS.
For example, if I create an authorization list MYAUTL and have user TOM as a member and try this:
CRTDIR DIR('/SampleDirectory') DTAAUT(GDIDIVF) OBJAUT(*NONE)
edtf '/SampleDirectory/deleteme.txt'
dspaut '/SampleDirectory/deleteme.txt'

the object '/SampleDirectory/deleteme.txt'
does not have the authority of the authorization list but has what you see with *PUBLIC. So, if TOM is a member of MYAUTL he still cannot delete this file.

dspaut '/SampleDirectory/deleteme.txt'


Object . . . . . . . . . . . . : /SampleDirectory/deleteme.txt
Type . . . . . . . . . . . . . : STMF
Owner . . . . . . . . . . . . : ROB
Primary group . . . . . . . . : *NONE
Authorization list . . . . . . : *NONE

Data --Object Authorities--
User Authority Exist Mgt Alter Ref
*PUBLIC *RW
ROB *RW X X X X


There are some commands with a hack in them to help with this crippling
limitation. For example
the CPY command as the AUT(*INDIR) parameter
CPY OBJ('/fromdir/fromfile') TOOBJ('/todir/tofile') AUT(*INDIR)

I'm not saying that authorization lists should be a requirement (although I like them and would accept that) but something like
CHGATR OBJ('/SampleDirectory') ATR(*CRTOBJAUT) VALUE(*INDIR)
would be acceptable also. Maybe even preferred.


Use Case:

I have directories now in which even the user who creates file (when using a Client/Server tool instead of EDTF) cannot delete the file.


Idea priority Urgent
  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Feb 28, 2018

    Thank you for submitting this request.

    After some consideration, we need some additional information.

    While the base request seems clear, some of the examples make it less clear for us.
    To start with, EDTF is more of an application. When EDTF is used to create a file, the EDTF code specifically sets the permissions on the owner and public to *RW. This is outside of what might be considered the 'default' of how permissions are set on new files.

    The use case statement is: I have directories now in which even the user who creates file (when using a Client/Server tool instead of EDTF) cannot delete the file.
    Please explain what " Client/Server tool" was used. A mapped drive? Navigator? Java Toolbox for IBM i? They may behave differently. Generally we try to have the owner get all permissions when a server creates the file because of how many of the pc applications work.

    The permissions of new file system objects is very dependent on the method in which the object is created. The Unix type APIs specifically allow you to specify the owner, group and other (public) permissions. We have an o-flag (O_INHERIT) which will tell us to set permissions based on the parent directory, including the authorization list. Other methods such as CPY, CPYTOSTMF, etc have other ways to indicate the permissions.

    It will take some thought to determine if/how we can do this request, but knowing the exact ways the file is created (other than EDTF which I've explained above), will help us to understand.
    Thank you.

  • Guest
    Reply
    |     Feb 20, 2018

    The CAAC has reviewed this requirement and recommends that IBM view this as a medium priority requirement that should be addressed. We understand that the current functionality probably matches a UNIX mindset, but users of IBM i are challenged with permissions and authorities.

    Background: The COMMON Americas Advisory Council (CAAC) members have a broad range of experience in working with small and medium-sized IBM i customers. CAAC has a key role in working with IBM i development to help assess the value and impact of individual RFEs on the broader IBM i community, and has therefore reviewed your RFE.

    For more information about CAAC, see www.common.org/caac

    For more details about CAAC's role with RFEs, see http://www.ibmsystemsmag.com/Blogs/i-Can/May-2017/COMMON-Americas-Advisory-Council-%28CAAC%29-and-RFEs/

    Nancy Uthke-Schmucki - CAAC Program Manager

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