Quoting esm(a)logic.net:
On Sun, Oct 09, 2005 at 07:22:43PM -0400, Tom Diehl wrote:
> Because requiring a passwd on a box that you can sit in front of and take
> apart is STUPID!!
Invalid assumption; one can have access to the console without having
direct physical access. Think IP-based KVMs, where you can go so far as
being able to power cycle a system without being able to put hands on the
machine. Serial consoles are a similar situation.
Or a machine in a lab, where the machines are on a security loop that prevents
the opening of the case without an alarm going off...
Granted, this is only an issue for data-center environments
generally. I
just wanted to point it out as a use case that I'm familiar with.
There are many others. Once upon a time, almost no unix needed a root
password for single user mode. Then suddenly, most versions added that
feature. Do you think they would add the feature if there wasn't any
reason or need for it?
--
Eric Rostetter