This would require some scripting and whatnot (to make HPUX and Irix happy, etc), but I think that it's a good idea. SSH provides secure shell, secure replacements rdist and rcp, among other stuff. Here's a blurb:
SSH (Secure Shell) is a program to log into another computer over a network, to execute commands in a remote machine, and to move files from one machine to another. It provides strong authentication and secure communications over insecure channels. It is intended as a replacement for rlogin, rsh, rcp, and rdist.
If you're distributing passwords over the network, they really should be encrypted. With SSH, you could set up the machines with keys for authentification, so that no passwords were required, and it could be "automatic".
Other good points about SSH: it's from Finland, and the source should compile on all of the systems you've mentioned. SSH is at ssh.fi. Or, you could skip their icky web site, and just search at Freshmeat.
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If you're distributing passwords over the network, they really should be encrypted. With SSH, you could set up the machines with keys for authentification, so that no passwords were required, and it could be "automatic".
Other good points about SSH: it's from Finland, and the source should compile on all of the systems you've mentioned. SSH is at ssh.fi. Or, you could skip their icky web site, and just search at Freshmeat.