How do I add users using Python scripts on a Linux machine

[Ivan Voras]

Ramdas wrote:
> Well,
> 
> I need to add users from a web interface for a web server, which runs
> only Python. I need to add users, set quotas and in future even look at
> managing ip tables to limit bandwidth.
> 
> I know os.system(), but this has to be done through a form entry
> through a web interface.
> 
> Anyways thanks, do advise if there more pythonic solutions

What you're looking for is actually a pretty complex thing. You *could*
in theory manage /etc/passwd (and its "shadow" file) - you can find
crypto primitives like MD5 and DES on the 'net, but note that you must
run your script under the 'root' account in order to write (and even
read!) the passwd database. The same goes for using os.system and the
built-in OS utility. Be aware of security implications if you're running
your web server under the root account.