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IBM does not intend to provide a solution to this request at this time, so it is being closed.
The limit of 8 characters is actually a limit of the user profile lengths imposed by other platforms.
They are most often going to be other IBM platforms such as zOS (VM or MVS/TSO) that evolved using the SNA architecture or that support SNA with add-on packages such as AIX Communications Server or Microsoft Host Integration Server (HIS).
Platforms such as zOS RACF may still limit based on their original SNA architecture for VM and MVS/TSO.
AIX also had an 8 character limit, but has a LOGIN_NAME_MAX option allowing up to 256 character.
IBM i supports interaction with these platforms by using SNA Distribution Services (SNADS) for communication.
TCP/IP applications are not limited by legacy SNA applications and protocols with these other platforms.
SSH code itself does not enforce this limit, the enforcement is done in PASE and controlled by the PASE_USRGRP_LIMITED variable. In addition, this behavior changed in 7.4, so that you must now set PASE_USRGRP_LIMITED=Y in order to enforce the 8 character username restriction and usernames greater than 8 are allowed by default.
You will have to research the methods you are using and determine if moving to 10 character user IDs is appropriate for your environment.
IBM has received the requirement and is evaluating it. IBM will provide a response after evaluation is complete.
I totally agree. When using ssh on the i the user profile cannot be greater that eight characters which is a frustrating limitation.
I've encountered this issue with SSH, where users with 9 or 10 character usernames were unable to log in.
This was fixed by setting the PASE_USRGRP_LIMITED environment variable to 'N', as described here: https://www.ibm.com/support/knowledgecenter/ssw_ibm_i_74/apis/pase_environ.htm
I'm not sure why this isn't the default, to be honest. Maybe to preserve compatibility with AIX software?
Morning Robberendt,
This RFE seems rather general. Any methods in particular?
What would be the business case / commercial advantage?
I'm trying to think of the methods that would have the 8 character restriction? I thinking they might be the older "SNA" emulating / encapsulating types?
If so, I'm not sure the effort would be worthwhile if there are TCP/IP methods that can use longer names.
Please let us know more about the thinking behind this RFE.
Best Wishes
Steve Bradshaw
IBM Champion, Member of the CEAC and Technical Director of the i-UG