+ + in .rhosts is causing a "Permission Denied"

I have a user who has "+ +" at the top of his .rhosts file. He cannot "rsh NODE date" to a different box ( both are RHEL 5.4 ). If I remove the "+ +" then the "RSH" works. I have correct settings of node names/user in the .rhosts file.

I even tried adding to the second box's /etc/host.equiv:

-@untrusted_rsh
\+@trusted_rsh

Why would the "+ +" cause a "Permission Denied" error?

Thanks in advance,
Joe Griffin

You can't use the + construct in .rhosts anymore. You must specify machines.

Also, stop using rhosts/rcommands. Use ssh.

Thanks. I do user "ssh/scp" .. it was for a user that won't move over.

Might I suggest a heavy rock, or a stick with which to beat them?

Sorry, r commands have been superseded, and are insecure as all hell.