Hi,

I have to reinstall my linux box and I would like to save users and users' passwords. It is clear I have to save the /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow files. But I would like to know if this is enough to avoid reentering the passwords of all the users by the users.

I mean: does the shadow utility use any installation dependent (key?) file to encrypt the passwords?

Or the shadowed password means the same on all linux computers/distributions.
Install1: MyPassword ==> 234ddg56gvRSS (shadow passwd)
Install2: MyPassword ==> 234ddg56gvRSS (the same)
???

Thanks,
Tamas

i think you are asking that if you copy the /etc/passwd and /etc/shadow files to the new install from the old install will the users of the old box be able to access the new install just like they did in old install.

please corect me if i am wrong here.
If i am not then the answer is yes.

You are correct. That was the question.
Thanks,
Tamas