Allow users to specify their own timezone?

[Lucas_K]

I know that with v4.3.3 we can now (as an administrator) manually change the users display timezone by editing their /user-prefs/local/user-prefs.conf file on a search head pool.

What I am trying to find if there is a capability in authorize.conf to allow users to set this (or specifically change this) option themselves. Currently the only user that can see this timezone field in their user preferences page is the admin.

I am trying to set this via the role groups so I thought there would be a "change_own_timezone" sort of capability.

ahla...
[role_std-user]
change_own_password = enabled
change_own_timezone = enabled

However I can't find what it is via the official documentation ( http://docs.splunk.com/Documentation/Splunk/4.3.3/admin/Addandeditroles#List_of_available_capabiliti... )

Does this option exist undocumented somewhere?

Running splunk v4.3.3.

Thanks.

[Lucas_K · Accepted solution]

After a logged call with splunk this is actually a new bug with 4.3.3 ( SPL-53644 ).

Yes i wasn't clear enough to say that this involved search head pooling. This is not an issue with standalone instances. Original question has been updated if someone looks for this in the future.

[ChrisG]

Indeed! Could not reproduce this in my own environment, but that clears up the mystery, thanks.

[rturk]

Oh so you were using search head pooling? THAT may have been good to know 😉

[ChrisG]

The documentation topic that covers this is Set up user authentication with Splunk's built-in system in the Admin Manual. It says:

In Splunk Web:

1. Click Manager.

2. Click Access controls.

3. Click Users.

4. Click New or select an existing user to edit that user.

5. Specify or change the information for the user. You can specify the user's:

   • full name.
   • email address.
   • time zone. This allows users to view events and other information in their own time zone.
   • default app. This overrides the default app inherited from the user's role.
   • password.

6. Assign the user to an existing role or roles and click Save.

[Lucas_K]

Yes i've seen what the manual says but my issue is whats actually available in my installed build doesn't match the documentation. The timezone option doesn't appear for ldap authentication based users.

Picture Proof : http://imgur.com/a/FXvFt

First picture is own user trying to set timezone (no timezone drop down menu).
Second picture is a logged in admin trying to set users timezone (Manager/Access controlls/Users/Select existing user.

[rturk]

Users are able to specify their own timezone through the Manager > Your Account management pane. From then on, the timestamps displayed will reflect the time shift they have specified.

Hope this helps 🙂

[rturk]

Running 4.3.3 I created a new user with only user level role privileges and was able to set my own time zone after logging in as the new (non admin) user.

[Lucas_K]

The timezone option does not appear for normal users only the local admin account. Thats the issue.

Sorry it doesn't even appear for admin users in 4.3.3.

In my other install 4.3.2 (standalone non-ldap auth) it exists but just not in 4.3.3 (ldap auth). So im not sure if its an ldap issue or build version.