Patent ID: 8024360

Claim:
A computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed by a UNIX client computer, cause the computer to perform operations comprising: obtaining a user identifier from a user; determining a zone of the UNIX client computer from zone identity information located on the UNIX client computer, wherein said zone identity information is a computer identifier created by an administrator via an administration console; selecting a global user record using the user identifier, said global user record including a global user name and zone information for a plurality of zones, one of which is the determined zone; and retrieving from said selected global user record first information corresponding to said user identifier and second information corresponding to said user identifier and said zone information from said determined zone, wherein the second information is at least a UNIX UID for the determined zone; enabling said user to logon to said UNIX client computer if and only said global user record is associated with said zone information for the determined zone, wherein said user identifier and said UNIX UID have different values.