FINGERD(8C)                                                        FINGERD(8C)



NAME
       fingerd - remote user information server

SYNOPSIS
       /etc/fingerd

DESCRIPTION
       _F_i_n_g_e_r_d is a simple protocol based on RFC742 that provides an interface
       to the Name and Finger programs at several network sites.  The  program
       is  supposed  to  return  a  friendly,  human-oriented status report on
       either the system at the moment or a particular person in depth.  There
       is  no required format and the protocol consists mostly of specifying a
       single ‘‘command line’’.

       _F_i_n_g_e_r_d listens for TCP requests at port 79.  Once connected it reads a
       single  command  line  terminated  by  a <CRLF> which is passed to _f_i_n_‐
       _g_e_r(1).  _F_i_n_g_e_r_d closes its connections as soon as the output  is  fin‐
       ished.

       If  the line is null (i.e. just a <CRLF> is sent) then _f_i_n_g_e_r returns a
       ‘‘default’’ report that lists all people logged into the system at that
       moment.

       If  a  user name is specified (e.g. eric<CRLF>) 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 possi‐
       ble derivations are returned.

SEE ALSO
       finger(1)

BUGS
       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.  _F_i_n_g_e_r_d should be taught  to  filter  out
       IAC’s  and  perhaps  even  respond negatively (IAC WON’T) to all option
       commands received.



4.3 Berkeley Distribution        May 23, 1986                      FINGERD(8C)