Adding root user to a group

The Specialist · #1 10-21-2005

Hey everyone, I need a little help....

I need to add my root user to a new group I have created, I'm just alittle unsure how to do this.

I know I need to use the 'useradd' command, the user 'root' needs to be added to a new group called 'beoper' and retain his membership in the following groups - 'other, root, bin, sys, adm, uucp, mail, tty, lp, nuucp, daemon'

Could someone please show me the correct syntax to perform this function, I really can't afford to screw this one up. Thanks.

blowtorch · #2 10-22-2005

You have things slightly mixed up. useradd is used to add a new user to the system. If you want to edit the attributes of an existing user, you have to use usermod. Run the following command:

Code:

usermod -G beoper root

The Specialist · #3 10-22-2005

Thanks for that.

Do I need to list all the other groups that root is a member of ?

The -G syntax states that you need to list all current groups or you will no longer be a members of those groups.

I just need to make sure, I can't have any mistakes.

zazzybob · #4 10-22-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by blowtorch

This will add beoper to the list of groups that root is already a member of.

I don't think so... look at the man page....

Quote:

-G group,[...]
A list of supplementary groups which the user is also a member of. Each group is separated from the next by a comma, with no intervening whitespace. The groups are subject to the same restrictions as the group given with the -g option. If the user is currently a member of a group which is not listed, the user will be removed from the group

Hence, the user will be, I assume, removed from all groups except their primary group and the beoper group.

I would just go and hack at the /etc/group file, and tack "root" onto the end of the beoper line (comma seperated with the other users listed).

Cheers
ZB

zazzybob · #5 10-22-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Specialist

Do I need to list all the other groups that root is a member of ?

If you use usermod, yes. Comma seperated, no spaces. Do not include primary group membership.

Cheers
ZB

reborg · #6 10-22-2005

Quote:

Originally Posted by zazzybob

I would just go and hack at the /etc/group file, and tack "root" onto the end of the beoper line (comma seperated with the other users listed).

I'd also do it the way ZB suggests.

blowtorch · #7 10-22-2005

Sorry for the wrong info. Actually, I always edit the /etc/group file and it really has been ages since I used the usermod command to add a user to a group.

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