How to use groupmod command on Ubuntu Linux with examples

computer screen with text editor
computer screen with text editor

The groupmod command is used by system administrators to manage groups on Linux systems.

When you’re learning how to use and manage Linux systems, the best place to start might be on Ubuntu Linux OS.

Ubuntu is an open-source Linux operating system that runs on desktops, laptops, servers, and other devices.

About groupmod command:

The groupmod command is used by system administrators to manage groups on Linux systems. In addition, it allows superusers to perform essential group management.

Like using your mouse and keyboard to change group settings in the GUI., the groupmod is the way to do it on the command line.

Syntax:

The syntax is the rule and format of how the groupmod command can be used. The syntax options can be reordered. But a straight format must be followed.,.

Below is an example syntax of how to use the groupmod command.

groupmod [options] GROUP

Options:

The command line options are switches or flags that determine how the commands are executed or controlled. They modify the behavior of the command. They are separated by spaces and followed after the command options.

Below are some options for the groupmod command:

GROUPReplace GROUP with the name of the group you want to change its settings. If the group doesn’t already exist, the command will fail and not execute.
-g, –gid GID
Use the -g or –gid GID option to set or change the group ID to GID
-n, –new-name NEW_GROUPUse the -n or –new-name NEW_GROUP option to change the group name to NEW_GROUP.
-o, –non-uniqueUse the -o or –non-unique option to allow to use of a duplicate (non-unique) GID
-p, –password PASSWORDUse the -P or –password PASSWORD option to change the password to this (encrypted)
PASSWORD
-R, –root CHROOT_DIRUse the -R or –root CHROOT_DIR option sets the directory to chroot into
-h, –helpdisplay this help message and exit

Examples:

Below are some examples of how to run and use the groupmod on Ubuntu Linux.

Run the commands below if you want to change a male to a female group.

groupmod -n female male

If you wish to change the female group ID to 777, run the commands below.. the command changes the female group ID to 777.

groupmod -g 777 female

If you’re not logged in as a root account, you may have to use the sudo command.

sudo groupmod -g 777 female

Use the commands below to enable two groups to have the same ID. When -o is used with the -g option, we can give nonunique values

sudo -g 777 -o male

Both the female and male groups have the same ID of 777

When you run groupmod with the –help option, you’ll see the help text below:

Usage: groupmod [options] GROUP

Options:
  -g, --gid GID                 change the group ID to GID
  -h, --help                    display this help message and exit
  -n, --new-name NEW_GROUP      change the name to NEW_GROUP
  -o, --non-unique              allow to use a duplicate (non-unique) GID
  -p, --password PASSWORD       change the password to this (encrypted)
                                PASSWORD
  -R, --root CHROOT_DIR         directory to chroot into

That’s it!

I hope you like it, and please come back soon for more Ubuntu Linux commands!

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Posted by
Richard

I love computers; maybe way too much. What I learned I try to share at geekrewind.com.

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