Synchronizations from new users

Ordinarily, each MobiLink client must provide a valid MobiLink user name and password to connect to a MobiLink server.

Setting the -zu+ option when you start the MobiLink server allows the server to accept and respond to synchronization requests from unregistered users. When a request is received from a user not listed in the ml_user table, the request is serviced and the user is added to the ml_user table.

When you use -zu+, if a MobiLink client synchronizes with a user name that is not in the current ml_user table, MobiLink, by default, takes the following actions:

  • New user, no password   If the user supplied no password, then by default the user name is added to the ml_user table with a null password. This user is allowed to synchronize without a password.

  • New user, password   If the user supplies a password, then the user name and password are both added to the ml_user table and the new user name becomes a recognized name in your MobiLink system. In future, this user must specify the same password to synchronize.

  • New user, new password   A new user may provide information in the new password field, or in the password field. In either case, the new password setting overrides the old password setting, and the new user is added to the MobiLink system using the new password. In future, this user must specify the same password to synchronize.

See -zu option.

Preventing synchronization by unknown users

By default, the MobiLink server only recognizes users who are registered in the ml_user table. This default provides two benefits. First, it reduces the risk of unauthorized access to the MobiLink server. Second, it prevents authorized users from accidentally connecting using an incorrect or misspelled user name. Such accidents should be avoided because they can cause the MobiLink system to behave in unpredictable ways.