mksmbpasswd

mksmbpasswd [-a] [-s] [-u username]

-a
    Add a new user to the `smbpasswd` file. This option requires you to interactively enter the new user's UNIX password and the new Samba password.

-s
    Synchronize Samba password with the existing UNIX password. The command prompts for the UNIX password and synchronizes this with the Samba password.

-u username
    Specifies the UNIX username to be added or synchronized. If omitted, the current user is used.

The mksmbpasswd command is a utility used to generate Samba password entries from standard UNIX passwords. It takes a UNIX user name and password as input, and outputs the encrypted Samba password suitable for inclusion in the `smbpasswd` file.
Historically, it was crucial for integrating Samba with existing UNIX authentication systems, allowing users to use their existing UNIX passwords to access Samba shares. While its direct usage has diminished due to more modern and integrated authentication methods (like using `tdbsam` or `ldapsam` as password backends), understanding mksmbpasswd provides insight into Samba's early design and password handling. Modern Samba setups frequently rely on `pdbedit` or similar tools to manage user accounts and passwords directly within the Samba database. It is important to note that directly using `mksmbpasswd` and manually editing the `smbpasswd` file is generally discouraged in contemporary Samba configurations due to potential security risks and management complexities. This command is more for legacy support and understanding the underlying password encryption techniques.

Manually editing the `smbpasswd` file can lead to inconsistencies and security vulnerabilities. Modern Samba configurations usually employ `pdbedit` for user and password management.
Using weak UNIX passwords weakens the Samba passwords, as they are often derived from the UNIX password.

Directly manipulating password files with `mksmbpasswd` and manual editing requires extreme caution. Ensure the `smbpasswd` file has appropriate permissions to prevent unauthorized access. Consider modern authentication methods that integrate directly with Samba's internal password databases for enhanced security.

mksmbpasswd was developed as part of the Samba suite to bridge the authentication gap between UNIX-based systems and Windows networks. It allowed users to utilize their existing UNIX user accounts and passwords for accessing Samba shares, a critical feature in the early days of Samba's adoption. As Samba evolved, more sophisticated authentication methods were integrated, reducing the reliance on manually generating Samba password entries.

pdbedit(8), smbpasswd(5), smb.conf(5)