As a SysOps engineer, efficient user management is crucial for maintaining system security and functionality. I've developed a bash script called create_users.sh that automates user creation, password management, group assignment, and logging on Linux systems to simplify this process. This script is designed to dynamically handle multiple users and groups from a structured input file.
Script Overview
The create_users.sh script performs the following tasks:
Reading Input: It reads from an input file (users.txt), where each line contains a username and associated groups separated by semicolons (username;group1,group2).
User Creation: Checks if each user exists; if not, creates the user with a personal group (same name as the username).
Password Management: Generates a random password for each user and securely stores it in /var/secure/user_passwords.txt.
Group Management: Adds users to their group and optionally to additional groups specified in the input file.
Logging: Records all actions in /var/log/user_management.log for audit purposes.
Error Handling: Skips invalid lines and manages existing users gracefully.
Benefits of Using This Script
Efficiency: Automates tedious user management tasks, reducing manual errors and saving time.
Security: Ensures passwords are generated securely and stored in a protected file.
Flexibility: Handles varying user and group configurations dynamically from a single input file.
Auditability: Logs every action performed, providing accountability and traceability.
Usage Instructions
To utilize the script:
Ensure the users.txt file is formatted correctly with each line containing username; and groups.
Run the script with ./create_users.sh users.txt on your Linux machine.
Conclusion
Automating user management tasks is essential for maintaining system integrity and security. The create_users.sh script simplifies these tasks by leveraging bash scripting capabilities. It ensures consistency, security, and efficiency in managing users and groups on Linux systems.
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Feel free to access the script on GitHub and adapt it to suit your system's specific requirements.
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