Rick Debay wrote:

> When I say 'shutdown the server' I mean the firebird server process, not
> the box it resides on.
> IMNSHO the shutdown command (and its aliases such as reboot) should be
> restricted via the /etc/sudoers file to those belonging to an alias
> called OPERATOR.

I figured that you meant the Firebird server process. Here is an
example, suppose you have a company, where customers can place product
orders on-line, and that the ordering process uses a Firebird database,
and that you get orders from around the world. Your product is one that
can be ordered from you or your competition, and that there isn't a lot
of brand loyalty. Shutting down the Firebird server process, means that
the web ordering application fails. A shutdown of the Firebird server
process, means lost orders and productivity at the rate of $3,000,000
per second. Accidentally shutting down the production Firebird process,
costs 1 minute, that is $180,000,000 in lost orders and productivity.
Now how many people do you want able to turn off that process?

Not saying that they use Firebird (they probably use something like
Oracle), but how many people do you think that can shut down the
database at Dell Computer Corporation? What kind of hoops do they need
to go through to cover their a** in the case that they run that shutdown
command, which idles employees around the world, and means lost orders
from the web and order desks everywhere. Bet the guy who is responsible
needs signed authorization from a very, very high up executive.

W