Stump the writer

I received some great reader input regarding my Password Potpourri newsletter. Here are two letters, detailing similar password problems. Let me know if you have any tips to pass along at ddubie@nww.com

* Call for group-based passwords

" Thanks for your article on passwords, " writes Scott Brennan. " What a challenge it is to keep track of them all. But here's one that seems to stump everyone: Is there a program that can manage passwords for a group of devices and be accessed by a group of people? For instance, in our IS division, we have 100 or so passwords that we use for everything from our main [administrative] password to some Tech Support passwords. We need a way to grant access to these passwords on a person by person (or group) basis. In other words, our managers should be allowed to see all the passwords, but only the Novell support group should see the Novell passwords and only the NT group should see theirs.

" We are currently using a program called Password Plus for groups, but its downfall is that it uses security levels to grant access, " he continues. That's " OK for those managers that need to see everything below them, but how about my previous scenario where the Novell support team needs to only be allowed to see theirs and no others, and the same for the NT support team. What we need is a program that lets us create password groups and make people be members of that group, just like you do in a network for file access. Any ideas? "

While you're thinking about that one, take a look at this next password problem.

* Plea for password synchronization

" I reviewed your articles about passwords with interest, " writes Tim Fleming. " Reading them triggered a question that resulted in this e-mail. I am hoping you can help me (and possibly others) with getting rid of a nuisance factor.

" Here at Greensboro Housing Authority, we have 11 remote sites, " he says. " These sites are set up as their own workgroups. They access the Central Office (domain GHA-NC) for e-mail and storing files that need to be backed up. The problem I am having is keeping the user passwords in sync within the workgroup and domain. I have been looking for software that will allow me to accomplish this, but have not found anything that fits the bill. Have you heard of anything like this? "

As I've said, I'm on the prowl for these types of tools, but if you have any suggestions, don't be shy. Send them my way.

Denise Dubie is a Staff Writer covering network management at Network World. She also works as a freelance writer in the Boston area. You can reach her at ddubie@nww.com.