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Managing user accounts is a foundational aspect of Ubuntu system administration. Whether you’re setting up a shared workstation, configuring a server, or simply trying to understand who else has access to your system, knowing how to view users is crucial. In this guide, we’ll walk you through various methods to list and understand user accounts on Ubuntu, ensuring you have full visibility and control over your system’s access points.
Advantages of Viewing Users on Ubuntu
Knowing how to view users on Ubuntu brings several advantages, especially in terms of system administration, security, and user management. Here are some key benefits:
- Security and Monitoring. Identifying all users on the system helps in detecting unauthorized accounts that might pose security threats. By regularly checking active users can help you spot any unexpected or unauthorized access.
- System Administration. By viewing users, administrators can manage permissions, allocate resources, and set quotas more efficiently. This helps in diagnosing issues related to user-specific configurations and applications.
- Resource Management. Administrators can identify which users consume the most resources, potentially optimizing system performance.
- Troubleshooting. Knowing which users are currently logged in or were recently active can be valuable when diagnosing system issues or user-specific problems.
- Documentation and Reporting. For IT teams, having a clear view of all system users aids in documenting system setups and configurations
How to List All Users on Ubuntu
To begin learning how to view users on Ubuntu, follow this step-by-step guide.
#1 Open the Terminal
Your first step is to open the terminal. You can do this by searching for “Terminal” in the application menu or by using the keyboard shortcut Ctrl + Alt + T.
#2 List Users from /etc/passwd File
All users on a Linux system, including system users, are stored in the /etc/passwd file. To see a list of all users run this command.
cat /etc/passwd
Sample Output:

#3 Interpreting the Output
The /etc/passwd file’s output consists of multiple colon-separated fields. Here’s a quick breakdown of these fields:
Username | The user’s login name. |
Password | An x here indicates that the password is stored in the /etc/shadow file. |
User ID (UID) | A unique user identification number. |
Group ID (GID) | The primary group ID, which references a group in /etc/group . |
User Info | This field can be used for extra user description, but it’s often left empty or just contains the user’s full name. |
Home Directory | The path to the user’s home directory. |
Command/Shell | The command/shell that’s executed upon user login. Typically, this will be /bin/bash for users, but it can be another shell or command, especially for system users. |
#4 Filtering for Human Users
Not all users listed in /etc/passwd are human users. Many are system users created for specific services. If you want to see a more concise list of human users, typically those with a user ID (UID) greater than 1000, you can use:
getent passwd {1000..60000} | cut -d: -f1
#5 Using the id Command
To get detailed information about a specific user, including their groups, you can use the id command followed by the username:
id username
Replace username with the name of the user you want to inspect.
Keep in mind, Ubuntu offers a variety of tools and commands to manage and access user information. The methods highlighted in this context are among the most frequently used. With this knowledge, you can now list all users on your Ubuntu system.
Conclusion
Want to run Ubuntu in a virtual environment? With Gcore Cloud, you can choose from Basic VM, Virtual Instances, or VPS/VDS suitable for Ubuntu:
- Gcore Basic VM offers shared virtual machines from €3.2 per month
- Virtual Instances are virtual machines with a variety of configurations and an application marketplace
- Virtual Dedicated Servers provide outstanding speed of 200+ Mbps in 20+ global locations
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How AI helps prevent API attacks
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Optimize your workload: a guide to selecting the best virtual machine configuration
Virtual machines (VMs) offer the flexibility, scalability, and cost-efficiency that businesses need to optimize workloads. However, choosing the wrong setup can lead to poor performance, wasted resources, and unnecessary costs.In this guide, we’ll walk you through the essential factors to consider when selecting the best virtual machine configuration for your specific workload needs.﹟1 Understand your workload requirementsThe first step in choosing the right virtual machine configuration is understanding the nature of your workload. Workloads can range from light, everyday tasks to resource-intensive applications. When making your decision, consider the following:Compute-intensive workloads: Applications like video rendering, scientific simulations, and data analysis require a higher number of CPU cores. 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VM sizes are typically categorized by the amount of CPU, memory, and storage they offer.Start with a baseline: Select a VM configuration that offers a balanced ratio of CPU, RAM, and storage based on your workload type.Scalability: Choose a VM size that allows you to easily scale up or down as your needs change. Many cloud providers offer auto-scaling capabilities that adjust your VM’s resources based on real-time demand, providing flexibility and cost savings.Overprovisioning vs. underprovisioning: Avoid overprovisioning (allocating excessive resources) unless your workload demands peak capacity at all times, as this can lead to unnecessary costs. Similarly, underprovisioning can affect performance, so finding the right balance is essential.﹟3 Evaluate CPU and memory considerationsThe central processing unit (CPU) and memory (RAM) are the heart of a virtual machine. The configuration of both plays a significant role in performance. Workloads that need high processing power, such as video encoding, machine learning, or simulations, will benefit from VMs with multiple CPU cores. However, be mindful of CPU architecture—look for VMs that offer the latest processors (e.g., Intel Xeon, AMD EPYC) for better performance per core.It’s also important that the VM has enough memory to avoid paging, which occurs when the system uses disk space as virtual memory, significantly slowing down performance. Consider a configuration with more RAM and support for faster memory types like DDR4 for memory-heavy applications.﹟4 Assess storage performance and capacityStorage performance and capacity can significantly impact the performance of your virtual machine, especially for applications requiring large data volumes. Key considerations include:Disk type: For faster read/write operations, opt for solid-state drives (SSDs) over traditional hard disk drives (HDDs). Some cloud providers also offer NVMe storage, which can provide even greater speed for highly demanding workloads.Disk size: Choose the right size based on the amount of data you need to store and process. Over-allocating storage space might seem like a safe bet, but it can also increase costs unnecessarily. You can always resize disks later, so avoid over-allocating them upfront.IOPS and throughput: Some workloads require high input/output operations per second (IOPS). If this is a priority for your workload (e.g., databases), make sure that your VM configuration includes high IOPS storage options.﹟5 Weigh up your network requirementsWhen working with cloud-based VMs, network performance is a critical consideration. High-speed and low-latency networking can make a difference for applications such as online gaming, video conferencing, and real-time analytics.Bandwidth: Check whether the VM configuration offers the necessary bandwidth for your workload. For applications that handle large data transfers, such as cloud backup or file servers, make sure that the network interface provides high throughput.Network latency: Low latency is crucial for applications where real-time performance is key (e.g., trading systems, gaming). Choose VMs with low-latency networking options to minimize delays and improve the user experience.Network isolation and security: Check if your VM configuration provides the necessary network isolation and security features, especially when handling sensitive data or operating in multi-tenant environments.﹟6 Factor in cost considerationsWhile it’s essential that your VM has the right configuration, cost is always an important factor to consider. Cloud providers typically charge based on the resources allocated, so optimizing for cost efficiency can significantly impact your budget.Consider whether a pay-as-you-go or reserved model (which offers discounted rates in exchange for a long-term commitment) fits your usage pattern. The reserved option can provide significant savings if your workload runs continuously. You can also use monitoring tools to track your VM’s performance and resource usage over time. This data will help you make informed decisions about scaling up or down so you’re not paying for unused resources.﹟7 Evaluate security featuresSecurity is a primary concern when selecting a VM configuration, especially for workloads handling sensitive data. Consider the following:Built-in security: Look for VMs that offer integrated security features such as DDoS protection, web application firewall (WAF), and encryption.Compliance: Check that the VM configuration meets industry standards and regulations, such as GDPR, ISO 27001, and PCI DSS.Network security: Evaluate the VM's network isolation capabilities and the availability of cloud firewalls to manage incoming and outgoing traffic.﹟8 Consider geographic locationThe geographic location of your VM can impact latency and compliance. Therefore, it’s a good idea to choose VM locations that are geographically close to your end users to minimize latency and improve performance. In addition, it’s essential to select VM locations that comply with local data sovereignty laws and regulations.﹟9 Assess backup and recovery optionsBackup and recovery are critical for maintaining data integrity and availability. Look for VMs that offer automated backup solutions so that data is regularly saved. You should also evaluate disaster recovery capabilities, including the ability to quickly restore data and applications in case of failure.﹟10 Test and iterateFinally, once you've chosen a VM configuration, testing its performance under real-world conditions is essential. Most cloud providers offer performance monitoring tools that allow you to assess how well your VM is meeting your workload requirements.If you notice any performance bottlenecks, be prepared to adjust the configuration. This could involve increasing CPU cores, adding more memory, or upgrading storage. Regular testing and fine-tuning means that your VM is always optimized.Choosing a virtual machine that suits your requirementsSelecting the best virtual machine configuration is a key step toward optimizing your workloads efficiently, cost-effectively, and without unnecessary performance bottlenecks. By understanding your workload’s needs, considering factors like CPU, memory, storage, and network performance, and continuously monitoring resource usage, you can make informed decisions that lead to better outcomes and savings.Whether you're running a small application or large-scale enterprise software, the right VM configuration can significantly improve performance and cost. Gcore offers a wide range of virtual machine options that can meet your unique requirements. Our virtual machines are designed to meet diverse workload requirements, providing dedicated vCPUs, high-speed storage, and low-latency networking across 30+ global regions. You can scale compute resources on demand, benefit from free egress traffic, and enjoy flexible pricing models by paying only for the resources in use, maximizing the value of your cloud investments.Contact us to discuss your VM needs
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