CSE Accounts - what are they?

Also see these topics for more specific information:

• Staff Accounts
• Student Accounts
• Group Accounts
• Special Accounts

All CSE accounts are by default shell accounts, with login access to the CSE system and a filespace known as the home directory or homedir as well as email. There is no such thing as an 'email-only' account. However, an account can be crippled in various ways, for example not giving it a homedir or removing login permissions, if this is required or desired.

All CSE accounts are based on the same template: a username, a UID, membership of classes and groups, location of homedir and some fields for quota information and comments. Depending on the purpose of the account there will be additional fields such as the UPI (unique personal identifier) for people, a GID for group accounts and PATHs for course accounts.

With the exception of some system accounts, all CSE accounts have an expiry date set upon creation. Warnings about imminent expiry are sent to the account a month and a week before expiry so that arrangments can be made for either extending the account or saving its data. The account's homedir will remain available in the backup system for some time after expiry, in case it is needed again. If an mlalias exists for the account, it will be allowed to remain for 6 months after expiry.