makepasswd(1)						       UNIX Reference Manual						     makepasswd(1)

NAME

       makepasswd - generate and/or encrypt passwords

SYNOPSIS

       makepasswd  [ --chars N ] [ --clearfrom file ] [ --count N ] [ --crypt | --nocrypt ] [ --cryptsalt N ] [ --help ] [ --maxchars N ] [ --min-
       chars N ] [ --randomseed N ] [ --rerandom N ] [ --repeatpass N ] [ --string string ] [ --verbose | --noverbose ]

DESCRIPTION

       makepasswd generates true random passwords by using the /dev/random feature of Linux, with the emphasis on security over  pronounceability.
       It can also encrypt plaintext passwords given on the command line.

OPTIONS

       --chars N
	      Generate passwords with exactly N characters (do not use with options --minchars and --maxchars).

       --clearfrom FILE
	      Use  password  from FILE instead of generating passwords.  Requires the --crypt option; may not be used with these options: --chars,
	      --maxchars, --minchars, --count, --string, --nocrypt.  Trailing newlines are removed but other white space is not.

       --count N
	      Produce a total of N passwords (the default is one).

       --crypt
	      Produce encrypted passwords.

       --cryptsalt N
	      Use crypt() salt N, a positive number <= 4096.  If random seeds are desired, specify a zero value (the default).

       --help Ignore other operands and produce only a help display.

       --maxchars N
	      Generate passwords with at most N characters (default = 8).

       --minchars N
	      Generate passwords with at least N characters (default = 6).

       --nocrypt
	      Do not encrypt the generated password(s) (the default).

       --noverbose
	      Display no labels on output (the default).

       --randomseed N
	      Use random number seed N, between 0 and 2^32 inclusive.  A zero value results in a real-random seed.

       --rerandom N
	      Set the random seed value every N values used.  Specify zero to use a single seed value (the default). Specify one to get  true-ran-
	      dom  passwords, but plan on hitting the CONTROL key a lot while it's running.  The Linux entropy device is quickly depleted and key-
	      stroke intervals are one source of new randomness.

       --repeatpass N
	      Use each password N times (4096 maximum, --crypt must be set and --cryptsalt may not be set).

       --string STRING
	      Use the characters in STRING to generate random passwords.

       --verbose
	      Display labelling information on output.

HISTORY

       makepasswd was originally part of the mkircconf program used to centrally administer the Linux Internet Support	Cooperative  IRC  network.
       It may potentially be of use in any situation where passwords must be secure and need not be memorized by humans.

COPYRIGHT

       Copyright  (c) 1997 by lilo <lilo@linpeople.org>.  All rights are reserved by the author.  This program may be used under the terms of ver-
       sion 2 of the GNU Public License.

SEE ALSO

       passwd(5)

Debian Distribution						  1998 February 9						     makepasswd(1)