FreeBSD System

Posted by Vivek Gite [Last updated: February 23, 2005]

Traditionally we used rwall command to send a message to every user on a network. Rwall works over insecure network. Instead of that, we can use wall command over ssh as follows, which is more secure and works with almost all UNIX variant.

1) ssh with wall syntax is as follows, after EOF press enter/return key and type message. When the message is complete, type EOF:
$ ssh root@remote-system wall<&ltEOF
message1
message2
…
…
EOF

2) To display message “Kernel is upgraded on this server. System is schedule to reboot in 45-minute time. Please logout and save your work” to ever user on remote FreeBSD system pweb.test.com

$ ssh root@pweb.test.com wall <&ltEOF
Kernel is upgraded on this server $(hostname).
System is schedule to reboot in 45-minute time.
Please logout and save your work.
Current local data and time is $(date)
EOF

Please note it might prompt for password if ssh-keys not used. Once password supplied it will execute wall command on remote server pweb.test.com. In order to work this remote UNIX/BSD/Linux must have sshd (ssh server) running. Also, notice that we have executed hostname and date command using command substitution feature of shell. This tips also works with Linux and other UNIX like operating system.

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