Login manager

A Login Manager (aka. display manager) is a graphical login GUI, usually intended for a X Window System oriented workstation or desktop. It allows users to log into Unix/Linux using X Window System without ever needing to see the CLI.

The most common login managers are Gdm for GNOME, Kdm for KDE, the generic Xdm, and the less common WINGs Display Manager (Wdm) for Window Maker.

Controlling Login Managers
A user with enough permission can kill a display manager and return to the CLI like so...


 * Any Distro: # killall gdm
 * Debian: # /etc/init.d/gdm stop

Login Managers

 * Entrance
 * gdm
 * kdm
 * wdm
 * xdm