Re: [gdm-list] Finger printing device and driver

[Brian Cameron <Brian Cameron Sun COM>]

Roy:

> I have a HP Compaq nc4400 and it has a finger print device, how do I get
> this activated

I am not familiar with the HP Compaq nc4400.  If this is a fingerprint
reader, then you would likely need to configure PAM (Pluggable
Authentication Module) to work with it.  Note that GDM does not directly
interface with actual authentication devices such as smart cards or
fingerprint readers.  Instead GDM calls PAM interfaces and the user
is authenticated via whatever mechanisms the PAM module specifies.  If
the PAM module tells GDM to ask questions (such as enter your username
or enter your password), then GDM facilitates that.  However, when using
a fingerprint reader, it might be reasonable for the PAM module not to
ask any questions and just to block until the PAM module recognizes a
fingerprint and associates it with a user.

I am not sure if there are any PAM modules that support this particular
device.  Unfortunately, the gdm-list gnome org is probably not the best
forum to find an answer to this question.  Perhaps someone on the list
has experience with this device and may answer, but it would not
surprise me if not.

You might have better luck asking on forums more specifially focused on
PAM or fingerprint readers.  Or you could try contacting the vendor and
see if they support Linux at all.

Brian