copying /etc/group & /etc/passwd file

[kashifr]

hi,
I am building a new server I want to copy all ids and groups from old to new server. What is the best way to do that using tar commnad?
thanx for help.

[Pete Randall]

Use:

tar -cvf /dev/rmt/0m /etc/passwd /etc/group

- then -

tar -x

to extract.


Pete

[Dennis Handly]

You can use tar, but it seem silly for 2 files, unless you want to keep the dates and permissions.
$ tar -cvf pass_gr.tar /etc/group /etc/passwd

And to untar:
# tar -xvf pass_gr.tar

If you want to copy the files but merge the contents, you don't want to use absolute paths:

$ tar -cvf pass_gr.tar -C /etc group passwd

[Dennis Handly]

Oops, I assumed you have NFS, FTP, etc available to the new server so you don't have to use the sneaker net. Pete explains how to use a tape.

[DCE]

don't forget /home, or where ever you have the user's individual data

[Robert Salter]

If you have a trusted system you may want to tar up the /tcb directory too.

[Hein van den Heuvel]

fwiw, For modest setups I have often simple used a terminal window copy & paste to make /etc/passwd and /etc/group match.

Be attentive to enhanced security requirements/files.

Hein.

[Reshma Malusare]

Hi kashfir,
you can go for tar command or just simply copy & paste. but then chcek permissions on the file finally from security point of view.

Thanks,
Reshma