FINGERD(8C) UNIX Programmer's Manual 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 net- work 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 specify- ing 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 finished. 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 par- ticular 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 possible 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. Printed 12/27/86 May 23, 1986 1