Overview
Managing user access and permissions on AS400 systems is a crucial administrative task to ensure that users have the appropriate level of access to perform their jobs without compromising the system's security. This involves creating and managing user profiles, setting up access rights for files, programs, and other system resources, and regularly reviewing and auditing permissions to comply with security policies.
Key Concepts
- User Profiles: The foundation of security and access control in AS400, defining who can log in and what they can access.
- Object Authority: Specifies the level of access a user or a group of users has to a particular object in the system.
- Library and Object Security: Libraries are the primary method of organizing objects in AS400, and securing these libraries is essential for protecting the data and programs they contain.
Common Interview Questions
Basic Level
- What is the command to create a user profile in AS400?
- How do you assign object-level authority in AS400?
Intermediate Level
- Explain how library list security can impact user access in AS400.
Advanced Level
- Discuss strategies for managing complex user access scenarios in AS400, including role-based access control.
Detailed Answers
1. What is the command to create a user profile in AS400?
Answer: The command to create a user profile in AS400 is CRTUSRPRF (Create User Profile). This command allows you to specify various attributes about the user, including their user ID, initial program to run upon login, and their authority level.
Key Points:
- User profiles are essential for individual identification on the system.
- The CRTUSRPRF command includes parameters for setting password, user class (e.g., USER, SYSOPR), and initial menu.
- Proper configuration of user profiles is essential for effective security management.
Example:
// This is a conceptual example. Commands in AS400 are executed in a command line interface, not in C#.
// To create a user profile with basic access:
CRTUSRPRF USRPRF(johndoe) PASSWORD(pass123) USRCLS(*USER) INLMNU(*SIGNOFF) INLPGM(*NONE)
// This command creates a user profile for 'johndoe' with a user class of *USER, which has standard user rights, and specifies that upon login, no initial program is called, and the initial menu is set to *SIGNOFF.
2. How do you assign object-level authority in AS400?
Answer: Object-level authority in AS400 is assigned using the EDTOBJAUT (Edit Object Authority) command or through the GRTOBJAUT (Grant Object Authority) command. These commands allow you to specify the level of access (e.g., CHANGE, USE, *ALL) that different user profiles or user groups have over specific objects.
Key Points:
- Object authority controls access at a granular level, defining what operations a user can perform on an object.
- The GRTOBJAUT command is used to add or change authority for a user or group to a specific object.
- It's important to follow the principle of least privilege, granting users only the permissions they need to perform their duties.
Example:
// As before, this is a conceptual command example.
// To grant change authority on a file named 'EMPLOYEE' to user 'johndoe':
GRTOBJAUT OBJ(EMPLOYEE) OBJTYPE(*FILE) USER(johndoe) AUT(*CHANGE)
// This command gives 'johndoe' the ability to change the 'EMPLOYEE' file.
3. Explain how library list security can impact user access in AS400.
Answer: Library list security in AS400 plays a critical role in determining which objects a user can access. The library list acts like an environmental path that dictates the order in which libraries are searched to locate objects. By controlling which libraries a user has in their library list and their position, you can limit or expand the resources available to them.
Key Points:
- The library list consists of a system portion, a product portion, and a user portion, each impacting object visibility and access differently.
- Managing library lists is crucial for ensuring that users can access necessary applications and data while restricting access to sensitive or irrelevant objects.
- The CHGLIBL (Change Library List) and ADDLIBLE (Add Library List Entry) commands are used to modify a user's library list.
Example:
// Conceptual command example for altering a user's library list.
// To add a library named 'PAYROLL' to the user's library list:
ADDLIBLE LIB(PAYROLL)
// This command would make objects within the 'PAYROLL' library accessible to the user, assuming they have the necessary object-level authority.
4. Discuss strategies for managing complex user access scenarios in AS400, including role-based access control.
Answer: Managing complex user access scenarios in AS400 can be efficiently handled through role-based access control (RBAC). This involves grouping users into roles based on their job functions and assigning access rights to these roles rather than individual users. This approach simplifies administration, enhances security by ensuring consistent application of access rules, and makes auditing easier.
Key Points:
- Implementing RBAC requires careful planning to identify roles accurately and to define the access needs associated with each role.
- AS400 supports RBAC through the use of group profiles and authorization lists, which can be associated with roles.
- Regular reviews and updates to roles and their access rights are essential to maintain security and accommodate changes in business processes.
Example:
// Conceptual approach for implementing RBAC in AS400.
// 1. Create group profiles for each role:
CRTUSRPRF USRPRF(accounting) USRCLS(*USER) TEXT('Accounting role')
// 2. Add users to the role:
CHGUSRPRF USRPRF(johndoe) GRPPRF(accounting)
// 3. Assign object authority to the group profile:
GRTOBJAUT OBJ(FINANCE) OBJTYPE(*LIB) USER(accounting) AUT(*USE)
// This sequence creates a role for the accounting department, assigns a user to that role, and grants the role use authority on the FINANCE library.
This guide covers the basics through advanced concepts related to managing user access and permissions on AS400 systems, providing a foundation for preparing for technical interviews on this topic.
