InformIT: Red Hat Linux 7 Unleashed > Managing Users and Groups with linuxconf

Managing Users and Groups with `linuxconf`

The linuxconf command is a highly welcome addition to Red Hat Linux. Having a GUI tool to manage users and groups takes a lot of hassle out of making small changes, but I'm sure that many system administrators still prefer the command-line method.

Creating and Modifying Users

Adding a user is one of the more basic tasks you can perform with linuxconf. When you installed Red Hat Linux you should have at least set up one user account. Adding additional users is easy.

To add a new user account, follow these steps:

Start linuxconf.
Click the Config tab.
Expand the tree browser under Users Accounts, Normal, User Accounts.
Click on User Accounts. You should now see the Users Accounts panel.
Click Add.
Complete the required fields.
Click Accept.

That's all there is to it.

Figure 21.2 shows the User Account Creation tab used for adding a user to linuxconf.

Figure 21.2 Adding linuxconf user accounts.

To modify your new user, just go back to the Users Accounts panel and double-click on the user you want to modify from the list. This should bring up a panel that looks like the Add panel from before, but with the appropriate fields already filled in.

Managing Groups with `linuxconf`

A group is a collection of users assembled together for a particular purpose with the intent that the users will share files or resources. This purpose could be job function—programmer, system administrator, accountant, or engineer—or the users could all have access to a special device—scanner, color printer, or modem.

The system does not limit the number of groups. You will notice that many default groups are already defined. These groups were defined when you installed Red Hat Linux.

To add a group:

Start linuxconf.
Click the Config tab.
Expand the tree browser under Users Accounts, Normal, Group Definitions.
Click on Group Definitions.
Click Add.
Complete the fields, providing a name for the group.
In the Alternate Members field, type the user ID of each user you want to add to this group.
Click Accept.

You just defined a new group.

Figure 21.3 shows the Group Specification tab used for adding a group.

Figure 21.3 Adding linuxconf groups.

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Managing Users and Groups with linuxconf

Creating and Modifying Users

Managing Groups with linuxconf

Managing Users and Groups with `linuxconf`

Managing Groups with `linuxconf`