IBM Data Platform Ideas Portal for Customers


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Status Submitted
Workspace DataStage
Created by Guest
Created on Apr 24, 2026

RELATED IDEAS

DataStage should support non-interactive Linux ID for the ETL platform setup

Current State

The DataStage ETL platform on Linux currently requires interactive user IDs with password authentication for two critical configuration steps:

  1. Engine owner (admin ID) selection during installation

  2. Credential mapping during post-installation configuration

Interactive IDs are configured with shell access (e.g., /usr/bin/ksh), which allows direct login capabilities.

Security Concern

Interactive IDs present a compliance risk in production environments because:

  • Multiple users with access to the same interactive ID credentials cannot be uniquely identified

  • No audit trail exists to determine which individual accessed or modified production data using the shared ID

  • This violates principle of least privilege and individual accountability requirements

In contrast, non-interactive IDs (configured with /bin/false) prevent direct login while still allowing programmatic access, maintaining security boundaries.

Requested Enhancement

Enable DataStage ETL platform to accept non-interactive user IDs with password authentication for:

  • Engine owner (admin) designation during installation

  • Linux local credential mapping during post-installation configuration

Business Value

  • Strengthens production environment security posture

  • Improves audit compliance by maintaining individual accountability

  • Reduces unauthorized access risk while preserving DataStage functionality

  • Aligns with industry security best practices for privileged account management

Needed By Quarter

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