getent

Updated

July 31, 2026

Overview

getent queries Name Service Switch databases (passwd, group, hosts, services, …) so you see the same view applications get — including LDAP/SSSD — not only local files.

Syntax

getent [options] database [key ...]

Common Options

Option Description
passwd User accounts
group Groups
hosts Host name lookups
services Service name/port map
shadow Shadow passwords (root; if permitted)
aliases / networks / protocols Other NSS DBs

Key Use Cases

  1. Resolve users beyond /etc/passwd
  2. Debug NSS/LDAP identity
  3. Script portable account lookups
  4. Check host resolution order

Examples with Explanations

User record

getent passwd alice
getent passwd 1000

Works for local and directory-backed users.

Group membership list

getent group sudo

See group line as NSS returns it.

Host lookup

getent hosts example.com
getent ahosts example.com

Reflects nsswitch/DNS configuration.

Service port

getent services ssh

Name↔︎port mapping from services DB.