Perforce 2009.2: Command Reference

p4 login

Synopsis

Log in to a Perforce server by obtaining a ticket.

Syntax

p4 [g-opts] login [ -a -p ] [ user ]
p4 [g-opts] login [ -s ]

Description

The p4 login command authenticates a user and creates a ticket that represents a session with a Perforce server. Once authenticated, a user can access the Perforce server until either the ticket expires or until the user issues the p4 logout command.

By default, tickets are valid for 12 hours.

To obtain a ticket valid for all IP addresses (for instance, to use Perforce simultaneously on more than one machine), use p4 login -a. Users with tickets that are valid for all IP addresses still consume only one Perforce license.

Options

-a	Obtain a ticket that is valid for all IP addresses.
-p	Display the ticket, rather than storing it in the local ticket file.
-s	Display the status of the current ticket, if one exists.
g-opts	See the Global Options section.

Usage Notes

Can File Arguments Use Revision Specifier?	Can File Arguments Use Revision Range?	Minimal Access Level Required
N/A	N/A	list

•	The default timeout value of 43200 seconds (12 hours) is defined on a per-group basis in the p4 group form.

•	To create tickets that do not expire, set the timeout value to unlimited in the p4 group form.

•	To extend a ticket's lifespan, use p4 login while already logged in. Your ticket's lifespan is extended by 1/3 of its initial timeout setting, subject to a maximum of your ticket's initial timeout setting.

•	Perforce superusers can obtain login tickets for users other than themselves without entering passwords. Non-superusers who attempt to log in as other users must use the p4 -u username login form of the command, and correctly supply the other user's password.

•	Tickets are stored in the file specified by the P4TICKETS environment variable. If this variable is not set, tickets are stored in %USERPROFILE%\p4tickets.txt on Windows, and in $HOME/.p4tickets on other operating systems.

Examples

p4 login	Prompt the user for a password; if the password is entered correctly, issue a ticket valid on the user's machine.
p4 -u builder login -a	Attempt to log in as user builder; if the password is entered correctly, issue a ticket valid on all machines.

Related Commands

To end a login session	p4 logout
To display tickets	p4 tickets