Sysctl is an authenticated client-server system for running commands remotely and in parallel. It provides:
Root authority can be dynamically provided to non-root users based on their authenticated identity, the task they are trying to perform, access control lists, and any other relevant criteria. The root password need not be given out to as many people, and thus is kept secure.
Sysctl applications can be executed on remote hosts with full authentication and authorization. It is essentially a secure, easy-to-program remote command execution mechanism for AIX commands, scripts and programs.
Sysctl applications can be efficiently executed in parallel on many hosts.
Sysctl applications can be coded as scripts for ease of implementation.
For example, consider a systems management script that contains commands that are only executable by root. If implemented as a Sysctl application, its security, usability, and performance are enhanced. Least privilege capability lets a member of a select group of administrators run the script on each node in the SP system without having access to the root password on any node in the system. With distributed execution, the administrator does not have to log in to each node to run the script. With parallel execution, the script can be run on all the nodes simultaneously with one command invocation. With programmability, the task can be automated or simplified with scripting.