groupmod command in Linux with examples (original) (raw)

Last Updated : 15 Dec, 2022

groupmod command in Linux is used to modify or change the existing group on Linux system. It can be handled by superuser or root user. Basically, it modifies a group definition on the system by modifying the right entry in the database of the group. Syntax:

groupmod [option] GROUP

Files: The groupmod command has following files.

• /etc/group: Group Account Information.
• /etc/gshadow: Secured group account information.
• /etc/login.def: Shadow passwd suite configuration.
• /etc/passwd: User account information.

Exit Values:

• 0: Success.
• 2: Invalid command Syntax.
• 3: Invalid argument to option.
• 4: specified group doesn't exist.
• 6: specified group doesn't exist.
• 9: group name already in use.
• 10: can't update group file.

Options: There are following option available in groupmod command.

• -g, --gid GID: The group ID of the given GROUP will be changed to GID.
• -n, --new-name NEW_GROUP: The name of group will change into newname.
• -h, --help: This option display help message and exist.
• -o, --non-unique: This option used with the -g option that allow to change the group GID to a non-unique value.
• -p, --password PASSWORD: This gives the encrypted password.
• -R, --root CHROOT_DIR: Apply changes in the CHROOT_DIR directory and use the configuration files from the CHROOT_DIR directory.

Example: Below command will change the group group_old to group_new using -n option.

groupmod -n group_new group_old