Edit/Add Basic User Info?

carlosinfl · 09-11-2006, 08:36 AM

I noticed that some users on our RHEL servers are missing info when our previous admin entered them into the server. I would like to add their actual names but was unable to find a way to do so. I checked the "usermod" man page and did not find anything that was what I am looking for. Maybe someone can tell me what I am missing...

Code:

[root@lt2fs1 ~]# finger jsmith
Login: jsmith                        Name: (null)
Directory: /home/jsmith              Shell: /bin/bash

druuna · 09-11-2006, 08:43 AM

Hi,

Take a look at usermod. It can modify a user account. Man usermod for all the details.

Oops...... You already did that. Doesn't the -c option do what you want?

Also take a look at chfn.

Hope this helps.

carlosinfl · 09-11-2006, 08:48 AM

I see the "-c" option but in the man page it is defined as:

Quote:

-c comment
The new value of the user’s password file comment field. It is
normally modified using the chfn(1) utility.

I did not get anything in regards to being able to modify basic user information like actual name and stuff like that.

So I figured I would try and see what happens and I get the following...

Code:

[root@lt2fs1 ~]# usermod -c cwilliams
usage: usermod  [-u uid [-o]] [-g group] [[-a] -G group,...]
                [-d home [-m]] [-s shell] [-c comment] [-l new_name]
                [-f inactive] [-e expire ] [-p passwd] [-L|-U] name

druuna · 09-11-2006, 08:55 AM

Hi,

As stated in the manpage: usermod -c "whatever you want" <user>
You did not provide a user.

You probably need to take a look at chfn.

Hope this helps.

reddazz · 09-11-2006, 08:55 AM

You are getting Those results because you are using the wrong syntax. You would do something like

Code:

#usermod -c "Carl Williams" cwilliams

-c is indeed classed as the comment field because its not just for a users name but any text string. Usually people use that switch for a users fullname, phone number, room number etc.