Shell Script: Add Users from file

flobadon · 12-06-2004, 10:55 PM

I'm working on a project for one of my classes, and I'm totally new to shell scripts and kind of in shock right now. Anyway, my assignment is to write a simple script that adds users to the system based on usernames and passwords stored in another file (yes, passwords in plaintext - obviously security isn't an issue for the assignment).

I'm stumped on how to get the password assigned correctly. I've tried doing it with useradd -p as well as passwd (normally and by doing something like echo $PASSWORD | passwd --stdin). Apologies if this makes no sense, low on sleep due to finals week. :P

Here is my script thus far:

Code:

#! /bin/bash

#Variables
NEW_USERS="/home/blake/newusers.lst"
HOME_DIR="/home/"

#The script itself...
cat ${NEW_USERS} | \
while read USER PASSWORD
do
  useradd -m -d ${HOME_DIR}${USER} ${USER}
  echo "User $USER has been created"
done

Essentially it's just set up to create a passwordless account for each name in the file "newusers.lst". Any ideas on how I would go about telling it to add a password? I'd like to give a generic password and force users to change it as soon as they login as well.

Thanks!

Blake

twantrd · 12-07-2004, 12:28 AM

Your script is already saving whatever value is in the second column as $PASSWORD. So all you would really need is:

useradd -m -d $HOME_DIR $USER -p $PASSWORD

-twantrd

flobadon · 12-07-2004, 03:01 PM

Here's the error I'm getting when I try to pass the -p argument with the ${PASSWORD} variable with the useradd command...

Code:

bash: /home/bconnolly/.bashrc: Permission denied

Would adding something to /etc/skel/.bashrc get rid of this problem? I can login to the accounts created fine if I leave the password bit off, but no dice when I add the password argument to the command...

Tinkster · 12-07-2004, 03:49 PM

From "man useradd"

Code:

       -p passwd
              The encrypted password, as  returned  by  crypt(3).
              The default is to disable the account.

Cheers,
Tink