Crontab as user

[akhasis]

Hello,

I'm trying to backup some files periodically from my zentyal server to another computer (Win2003 server), but I wouldn't like to use the admin user, so I created a user ("backup_user") specifically in that Win2003 server for that task.That user is also exists in my zentyal server.

that user already mounted a directory shared from the w2003s. I'd like to create a cron job for that user that executes every day. How can I run that cron job as the user "backup_user"?

Thank you!

[christian]

what's your question exactly ?
use of

Code: [Select]

crontab -e ?
command to be used in crontab ?
doing it using Zentyal GUI ?

When logged as backup_user, can easily edit crontab (for this user) and run your copy from source to destination assuming both are mounted.

[jbahillo]

Just adding one more possibility to christian words, if for chance it fit to this scenario

Code: [Select]

sudo crontab -u backup_user -e

allows you to edit the crontab for a user you have not logged into

[akhasis]

Sorry i wasn't able to make myself clear. My question was, since I can't log in to zentyal as any other user than admin, how to edit backup_user's crontab.

Thank you both for your answers, they were very useful.

[half_life]

The other useful trick is knowing how to sudo up to the root account and have a prompt to work from.

sudo su allows you to switch to the root user.
Once you are root, you can simply su <my_other_user>  to work as them for awhile.  Exit backs you out one layer at a time.

[akhasis]

That is very interesting, I had no idea I could connect as another user apart from root. Thank you!