Linux "pwconv" Command Line Options and Examples
convert to and from shadow passwords and groups

The pwconv command creates shadow from passwd and an optionally existing shadow. The pwunconv command creates passwd from passwd and shadow and then removes shadow. The grpconv command creates gshadow from group and an optionally existing gshadow.


Usage:

pwconv [options]


    pwunconv [options]


    grpconv [options]


    grpunconv [options]






Command Line Options:

-h
Display help message and exit.
pwconv -h ...
-R
Apply changes in the CHROOT_DIR directory and use the configuration files from the CHROOT_DIR directory.BUGSErrors in the password or group files (such as invalid or duplicate entries) may cause these programs to loopforever or fail in other strange ways. Please run pwck and grpck to correct any such errors before convertingto or from shadow passwords or groups.CONFIGURATIONThe following configuration variable in /etc/login.defs changes the behavior of grpconv and grpunconv:MAX_MEMBERS_PER_GROUP (number)Maximum members per group entry. When the maximum is reached, a new group entry (line) is started in/etc/group (with the same name, same password, and same GID).The default value is 0, meaning that there are no limits in the number of members in a group.This feature (split group) permits to limit the length of lines in the group file. This is useful to makesure that lines for NIS groups are not larger than 1024 characters.If you need to enforce such limit, you can use 25.Note: split groups may not be supported by all tools (even in the Shadow toolsuite). You should not usethis variable unless you really need it.The following configuration variables in /etc/login.defs change the behavior of pwconv:PASS_MAX_DAYS (number)The maximum number of days a password may be used. If the password is older than this, a password changewill be forced. If not specified, -1 will be assumed (which disables the restriction).PASS_MIN_DAYS (number)The minimum number of days allowed between password changes. Any password changes attempted sooner thanthis will be rejected. If not specified, -1 will be assumed (which disables the restriction).PASS_WARN_AGE (number)The number of days warning given before a password expires. A zero means warning is given only upon theday of expiration, a negative value means no warning is given. If not specified, no warning will beprovided.FILES/etc/login.defsShadow password suite configuration.
pwconv -R ...