Hi there --

I have a server that is accessed from the Internet, and I want to to automatically disconnect users after five minutes of their account being idle.

The users on the server have either the bash or tcsh shell available to them. My plan is to add the following line to the /etc/bashrc and /etc/csh.cshrc files:

I had several questions concerning this approach:

1. Is this the correct method to use to automate logouts of idle users?
2. Is this the correct syntax to use for the bashrc and csh.cshrc files?
3. Once the file modifications are made, how can I have the changes implemented for all users?

Thanks.

if they are connecting using ssh you could use the
Options

...
The BaSH manual shows the variable can be exported like that. The Csh manual shows it uses "autologout".


Sourcing global variables is done once, on login.

As far I know you have to add it in /etc/profile, say under the line
HISTSIZE=1000
TMOUT=300

This will apply for all users in system. If want to apply to a particular user then add it in user .bash_profile

Hope this helps.