IEEE 1387.3-1996

1387.3-1996 is a technical standard for Portable Operating System Interface (POSIX(TM)) system administration, focused specifically on user and group account administration. It defines a structured framework for handling account-related functions that support consistent administration across compliant systems. For organizations managing multiuser computing environments, this standard helps clarify how identities, access-related records, and administration tasks are addressed in a POSIX context.

1387.3-1996 overview

The purpose of 1387.3-1996 is to support a consistent approach to system administration activities tied to user and group accounts. As part of the POSIX(TM) system administration family, it provides technical direction for managing account information in a way that can be applied across operating systems and related environments. The standard is relevant where predictable administrative behavior matters, especially for systems that rely on defined account structures and controlled access administration.

Typical use cases

This standard is commonly relevant in operating systems and computing platforms that need orderly user and group management. It may be used when defining account administration procedures, aligning system behavior across installations, or documenting how administrative tools should handle account records. It can also support environments where multiple users, shared resources, and structured permissions must be administered consistently, such as enterprise computing, networked systems, and other controlled technical deployments.

Why this standard matters

1387.3-1996 matters because account administration affects access control, operational consistency, and system manageability. A clear standard can reduce ambiguity in how user and group information is created, maintained, and interpreted across implementations. That is valuable for procurement, compliance review, and technical evaluation, where consistent administrative behavior is often important. For teams responsible for system design or validation, the document can also help support repeatable administration practices and lower the risk of configuration errors.

• User and group account administration
• POSIX(TM) system administration context
• Consistent account handling across systems
• Administrative procedures and records
• Multiuser access management