makepasswd(1) UNIX Reference Manual makepasswd(1)NAMEmakepasswd - generate and/or encrypt passwords
SYNOPSISmakepasswd [ --chars N ] [ --clearfrom file ] [ --count N ] [ --crypt |
--nocrypt ] [ --cryptsalt N ] [ --help ] [ --maxchars N ] [ --minchars
N ] [ --randomseed N ] [ --rerandom N ] [ --repeatpass N ] [ --string
string ] [ --verbose | --noverbose ]
DESCRIPTIONmakepasswd generates true random passwords by using the /dev/random
feature of Linux, with the emphasis on security over pronounceability.
It can also encrypt plaintext passwords given on the command line.
OPTIONS--chars N
Generate passwords with exactly N characters (do not use with
options --minchars and --maxchars).
--clearfrom FILE
Use password from FILE instead of generating passwords.
Requires the --crypt option; may not be used with these options:
--chars, --maxchars, --minchars, --count, --string, --nocrypt.
Trailing newlines are removed but other white space is not.
--count N
Produce a total of N passwords (the default is one).
--crypt
Produce encrypted passwords.
--cryptsalt N
Use crypt() salt N, a positive number <= 4096. If random seeds
are desired, specify a zero value (the default).
--help Ignore other operands and produce only a help display.
--maxchars N
Generate passwords with at most N characters (default = 8).
--minchars N
Generate passwords with at least N characters (default = 6).
--nocrypt
Do not encrypt the generated password(s) (the default).
--noverbose
Display no labels on output (the default).
--randomseed N
Use random number seed N, between 0 and 2^32 inclusive. A zero
value results in a real-random seed.
--rerandom N
Set the random seed value every N values used. Specify zero to
use a single seed value (the default). Specify one to get true-
random passwords, but plan on hitting the CONTROL key a lot
while it's running. The Linux entropy device is quickly
depleted and keystroke intervals are one source of new random‐
ness.
--repeatpass N
Use each password N times (4096 maximum, --crypt must be set and
--cryptsalt may not be set).
--string STRING
Use the characters in STRING to generate random passwords.
--verbose
Display labelling information on output.
HISTORYmakepasswd was originally part of the mkircconf program used to cen‐
trally administer the Linux Internet Support Cooperative IRC network.
It may potentially be of use in any situation where passwords must be
secure and need not be memorized by humans.
COPYRIGHT
Copyright (c) 1997 by lilo <lilo@linpeople.org>. All rights are
reserved by the author. This program may be used under the terms of
version 2 of the GNU Public License.
SEE ALSOpasswd(5)Debian Distribution 1998 February 9 makepasswd(1)