6.21. pam_motd - display the motd file
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## 6.21. pam_motd - display the motd file

`pam_motd.so` [ motd=`/path/filename` ] [ motd_dir=`/path/dirname.d` ]

### 6.21.1. DESCRIPTION

pam_motd is a PAM module that can be used to display arbitrary motd (message of the day) files after a successful login. By default, pam_motd shows files in the following locations:

`/etc/motd`
`/run/motd`
`/usr/lib/motd`
`/etc/motd.d/`
`/run/motd.d/`
`/usr/lib/motd.d/`

Each message size is limited to 64KB.

If `/etc/motd` does not exist, then `/run/motd` is shown. If `/run/motd` does not exist, then `/usr/lib/motd` is shown.

Similar overriding behavior applies to the directories. Files in `/etc/motd.d/` override files with the same name in `/run/motd.d/` and `/usr/lib/motd.d/`. Files in `/run/motd.d/` override files with the same name in `/usr/lib/motd.d/`.

Files the in the directories listed above are displayed in lexicographic order by name.

To silence a message, a symbolic link with target `/dev/null` may be placed in `/etc/motd.d` with the same filename as the message to be silenced. Example: Creating a symbolic link as follows silences `/usr/lib/motd.d/my_motd`.

ln -s /dev/null /etc/motd.d/my_motd

The MOTD_SHOWN=pam environment variable is set after showing the motd files, even when all of them were silenced using symbolic links.

### 6.21.2. OPTIONS

`motd=`/path/filename``

  The `/path/filename` file is displayed as message of the day. Multiple paths to try can be specified as a colon-separated list. By default this option is set to `/etc/motd:/run/motd:/usr/lib/motd`.

`motd_dir=`/path/dirname.d``

  The `/path/dirname.d` directory is scanned and each file contained inside of it is displayed. Multiple directories to scan can be specified as a colon-separated list. By default this option is set to `/etc/motd.d:/run/motd.d:/usr/lib/motd.d`.

When no options are given, the default behavior applies for both options. Specifying either option (or both) will disable the default behavior for both options.

### 6.21.3. MODULE TYPES PROVIDED

Only the `session` module type is provided.

### 6.21.4. RETURN VALUES

PAM_ABORT

  Not all relevant data or options could be obtained.

PAM_BUF_ERR

  Memory buffer error.

PAM_IGNORE

  This is the default return value of this module.

### 6.21.5. EXAMPLES

The suggested usage for `/etc/pam.d/login` is:

    session  optional  pam_motd.so

To use a `motd` file from a different location:

    session  optional  pam_motd.so motd=/elsewhere/motd

To use a `motd` file from elsewhere, along with a corresponding `.d` directory:

    session  optional  pam_motd.so motd=/elsewhere/motd motd_dir=/elsewhere/motd.d

### 6.21.6. AUTHOR

pam_motd was written by Ben Collins <bcollins@debian.org>.

The `motd_dir=` option was added by Allison Karlitskaya <allison.karlitskaya@redhat.com>.

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