Installation guide

9.5 Adding and Removing Groups
This section describes how to:
• Add a group with the addgroup utility
• Add a group manually
• Remove a group
_______________________ Note _______________________
There are limits on length of command lines that may affect
commands such as addgroup. The /usr/include/limits.h
file limits LINE_MAX to 2048 characters. You must split
command line entries into into multiple lines limited to 255
characters, or incorrect data may be added to the /etc/group
file.
9.5.1 Adding a Group with the addgroup Utility
The addgroup utility automates the process of adding a group to the
/etc/group file.
When you invoke the addgroup utility, the program responds with a series
of prompts and messages asking you for the following information:
• Group name
• Group identification number (GID)
To use the addgroup utility, log in as root and enter the following
command at the prompt:
# addgroup
The program responds with a series of prompts and messages. The brackets
([]) indicate the default response. Press Return to accept the default or enter
a different response and press Return, as shown in the following example:
Enter a new group name or <Return> to exit: newgroup
Enter a new group number [112]:
Return
Group newgroup was added to the /etc/group file.
The addgroup utility adds the new group to the /etc/group file.
9.5.2 Adding a Group Manually
Administering User Accounts and Groups 9–21