The wall command is a Unix/Linux utility that allows users to write a message on the terminals of all the currently logged-in users. It is typically used by system administrators to broadcast important messages to all users, such as system shutdowns, emergency alerts, or system updates.
The wall command works by reading the message from standard input or from a file specified as an argument, and then sending it to the terminals of all currently logged-in users. The message is displayed on each user’s terminal in a banner format, with the message enclosed in a header and footer that includes the sender’s name and the time the message was sent.
By default, the wall command is restricted to users with root privileges or members of the tty group, which allows users to access the system’s terminals. This is to prevent unauthorized users from sending messages to other users’ terminals.
The wall command can be used in a variety of situations, such as when a system administrator needs to broadcast important information to all users, or when a user needs to communicate with other users who are currently logged in. However, it is important to use the wall command judiciously, as it can be disruptive or annoying to users if used excessively or for non-critical messages.
If you encounter the below error while running the command wall:
wall: command not found
you may try installing the below package as per your choice of distribution:
| Distribution | Command |
|---|---|
| Debian | apt-get install bsdutils |
| Ubuntu | apt-get install bsdutils |
| Alpine | apk add util-linux |
| Arch Linux | pacman -S util-linux |
| Kali Linux | apt-get install bsdutils |
| CentOS | yum install sysvinit-tools |
| Fedora | dnf install util-linux |
| OS X | brew install util-linux |
| Raspbian | apt-get install bsdutils |
wall Command Examples
1. Send a message:
# echo "message" | wall
2. Send a message from a file:
# wall file
3. Send a message with timeout (default 300):
# wall -t seconds file
Summary
Overall, the wall command is a useful utility for broadcasting important messages to all currently logged-in users, and can be a valuable tool for system administrators and users who need to communicate with other users on the system.