mksmbpasswd

mksmbpasswd [UNIX_PASSWD_FILE]
or frequently used with input redirection:
cat UNIX_PASSWD_FILE | mksmbpasswd

UNIX_PASSWD_FILE
    An optional path to a standard Unix password file (e.g., /etc/passwd). If not provided, the script typically reads from standard input, allowing it to be used in a pipeline.

mksmbpasswd is typically a helper script designed to assist administrators in migrating existing Unix user accounts into a Samba domain or standalone server. Its primary function is to read a standard Unix password file (like /etc/passwd) and generate a list of usernames (and sometimes UIDs) in a format suitable for input into Samba's user management utilities, such as smbpasswd or pdbedit.

Unlike a direct password setting utility, mksmbpasswd often prepares the user list, rather than setting the Samba passwords directly. The output of mksmbpasswd is commonly piped as input to smbpasswd -a (to add users) or pdbedit -a (for more advanced user database management). This process helps automate the creation of numerous Samba user entries, streamlining the setup of file and print sharing services for existing Unix users. Its exact behavior and available options can vary significantly as it is often a custom script rather than a standardized, pre-compiled binary.

• mksmbpasswd is not a standard Samba binary or a universally distributed Linux command. It is often a custom shell script or a helper utility found in various Samba documentation or community contributions. Its behavior, features, and even existence can vary significantly between systems.
• The script usually prepares a user list for Samba tools, rather than setting the actual Samba passwords. Follow-up commands like smbpasswd or pdbedit are required to set and manage the Samba passwords.
• Security implications: Ensure that the script does not expose sensitive information or create accounts with default/weak passwords without proper subsequent configuration.

Because mksmbpasswd is often a user-created or community-shared script, its implementation can differ. Administrators may need to inspect the script's source code (if available) to understand its precise functionality, output format, and any specific options it supports. This also means it might not be present on all systems by default.

mksmbpasswd doesn't have a formal development history as a standalone project or command. Instead, it emerged as a common administrative solution for a recurring problem: efficiently migrating Unix users to Samba environments. As Samba gained popularity, administrators frequently needed to synchronize Unix and Samba user bases. Various versions of this script, often simple shell scripts, were developed and shared within the Samba community and documentation to automate this process, reflecting a practical need rather than a formal software development lifecycle.

smbpasswd(8), pdbedit(8), passwd(1), samba(7)