Provided by: cryptsetup-bin_2.7.0-1ubuntu4.1_amd64 
NAME
cryptsetup-open, cryptsetup-create, cryptsetup-plainOpen, cryptsetup-luksOpen, cryptsetup-
loopaesOpen, cryptsetup-tcryptOpen, cryptsetup-bitlkOpen, cryptsetup-fvault2Open - open an
encrypted device and create a mapping with a specified name
SYNOPSIS
cryptsetup open --type <device_type> [<options>] <device> <name>
DESCRIPTION
Opens (creates a mapping with) <name> backed by device <device>.
Device type can be plain, luks (default), luks1, luks2, loopaes or tcrypt.
For backward compatibility there are open command aliases:
create (argument-order <name> <device>): open --type plain
plainOpen: open --type plain
luksOpen: open --type luks
loopaesOpen: open --type loopaes
tcryptOpen: open --type tcrypt
bitlkOpen: open --type bitlk
<options> are type specific and are described below for individual device types. For
create, the order of the <name> and <device> options is inverted for historical reasons,
all other aliases use the standard <device> <name> order.
PLAIN
open --type plain <device> <name> --cipher <spec> --key-size <bits> --hash <alg>
plainOpen <device> <name> (old syntax)
create <name> <device> (OBSOLETE syntax)
Opens (creates a mapping with) <name> backed by device <device>.
WARNING: You should always specify options --cipher, --key-size and (if no keyfile is
used) then also --hash to avoid incompatibility as default values can be different in
older cryptsetup versions.
<options> can be [--hash, --cipher, --verify-passphrase, --sector-size, --key-file,
--keyfile-size, --keyfile-offset, --key-size, --offset, --skip, --device-size, --size,
--readonly, --shared, --allow-discards, --refresh, --timeout, --verify-passphrase,
--iv-large-sectors].
Example: 'cryptsetup open --type plain --cipher aes-cbc-essiv:sha256 --key-size 256 --hash
sha256 /dev/sda10 e1' maps the raw encrypted device /dev/sda10 to the mapped (decrypted)
device /dev/mapper/e1, which can then be mounted, fsck-ed or have a filesystem created on
it.
LUKS
open <device> <name>
open --type <luks1|luks2> <device> <name> (explicit version request)
luksOpen <device> <name> (old syntax)
Opens the LUKS device <device> and sets up a mapping <name> after successful verification
of the supplied passphrase.
First, the passphrase is searched in LUKS2 tokens unprotected by PIN. If such token does
not exist (or fails to unlock keyslot) and also the passphrase is not supplied via
--key-file, the command prompts for passphrase interactively.
If there is valid LUKS2 token but it requires PIN to unlock assigned keyslot, it is not
used unless one of following options is added: --token-only, --token-type where type
matches desired PIN protected token or --token-id with id matching PIN protected token.
<options> can be [--key-file, --keyfile-offset, --keyfile-size, --readonly,
--test-passphrase, --allow-discards, --header, --key-slot, --volume-key-file, --token-id,
--token-only, --token-type, --disable-external-tokens, --disable-keyring, --disable-locks,
--type, --refresh, --serialize-memory-hard-pbkdf, --unbound, --tries, --timeout,
--verify-passphrase, --persistent, --volume-key-keyring, --link-vk-to-keyring,
--external-tokens-path].
loopAES
open --type loopaes <device> <name> --key-file <keyfile>
loopaesOpen <device> <name> --key-file <keyfile> (old syntax)
Opens the loop-AES <device> and sets up a mapping <name>.
If the key file is encrypted with GnuPG, then you have to use --key-file=- and decrypt it
before use, e.g., like this:
gpg --decrypt <keyfile> | cryptsetup loopaesOpen --key-file=- <device> <name>
WARNING: The loop-AES extension cannot use the direct input of the key file on the real
terminal because the keys are separated by end-of-line and only part of the multi-key file
would be read.
If you need it in script, just use the pipe redirection:
echo $keyfile | cryptsetup loopaesOpen --key-file=- <device> <name>
Use --keyfile-size to specify the proper key length if needed.
Use --offset to specify device offset. Note that the units need to be specified in number
of 512 byte sectors.
Use --skip to specify the IV offset. If the original device used an offset and but did not
use it in IV sector calculations, you have to explicitly use --skip 0 in addition to the
offset parameter.
Use --hash to override the default hash function for passphrase hashing (otherwise it is
detected according to key size).
<options> can be [--cipher, --key-file, --keyfile-size, --keyfile-offset, --key-size,
--offset, --skip, --hash, --readonly, --allow-discards, --refresh].
TrueCrypt and VeraCrypt
open --type tcrypt <device> <name>
tcryptOpen <device> <name> (old syntax)
Opens the TCRYPT (TrueCrypt and VeraCrypt compatible) <device> and sets up a mapping
<name>.
<options> can be [--key-file, --tcrypt-hidden, --tcrypt-system, --tcrypt-backup,
--readonly, --test-passphrase, --allow-discards, --veracrypt (ignored),
--disable-veracrypt, --veracrypt-pim, --veracrypt-query-pim, --header, --cipher, --hash,
--tries, --timeout, --verify-passphrase].
The keyfile parameter allows a combination of file content with the passphrase and can be
repeated. Note that using keyfiles is compatible with TCRYPT and is different from LUKS
keyfile logic.
If --cipher or --hash options are used, only cipher chains or PBKDF2 variants with the
specified hash algorithms are checked. This could speed up unlocking the device (but also
it reveals some information about the container).
If you use --header in combination with hidden or system options, the header file must
contain specific headers on the same positions as the original encrypted container.
WARNING: Option --allow-discards cannot be combined with option --tcrypt-hidden. For
normal mapping, it can cause the destruction of hidden volume (hidden volume appears as
unused space for outer volume so this space can be discarded).
BitLocker
open --type bitlk <device> <name>
bitlkOpen <device> <name> (old syntax)
Opens the BITLK (a BitLocker compatible) <device> and sets up a mapping <name>.
<options> can be [--key-file, --keyfile-offset, --keyfile-size, --key-size, --readonly,
--test-passphrase, --allow-discards --volume-key-file, --tries, --timeout,
--verify-passphrase].
Note that --test-passphrase doesn’t work with --volume-key-file because we cannot check
whether the provided volume key is correct for this device or not. When using
--volume-key-file the device will be opened even if the provided key is not correct.
FileVault2
open --type fvault2 <device> <name>
fvault2Open <device> <name> (old syntax)
Opens the FVAULT2 (a FileVault2 compatible) <device> and sets up a mapping <name>.
<options> can be [--key-file, --keyfile-offset, --keyfile-size, --key-size, --readonly,
--test-passphrase, --allow-discards --volume-key-file, --tries, --timeout,
--verify-passphrase].
OPTIONS
--type <device-type>
Specifies required device type, for more info read BASIC ACTIONS section in
cryptsetup(8).
--hash, -h <hash-spec>
Specifies the passphrase hash. Applies to plain and loopaes device types only.
For tcrypt device type, it restricts checked PBKDF2 variants when looking for header.
--cipher, -c <cipher-spec>
Set the cipher specification string for plain device type.
For tcrypt device type it restricts checked cipher chains when looking for header.
cryptsetup --help shows the compiled-in defaults.
If a hash is part of the cipher specification, then it is used as part of the IV
generation. For example, ESSIV needs a hash function, while "plain64" does not and
hence none is specified.
For XTS mode you can optionally set a key size of 512 bits with the -s option. Key
size for XTS mode is twice that for other modes for the same security level.
--verify-passphrase, -y
When interactively asking for a passphrase, ask for it twice and complain if both
inputs do not match. Advised when creating a plain type mapping for the first time.
Ignored on input from file or stdin.
--key-file, -d name
Read the passphrase from file.
If the name given is "-", then the passphrase will be read from stdin. In this case,
reading will not stop at newline characters.
NOTE: With plain device type, the passphrase obtained via --key-file option is passed
directly in dm-crypt. Unlike the interactive mode (stdin) where digest (--hash option)
of the passphrase is passed in dm-crypt instead.
See section NOTES ON PASSPHRASE PROCESSING in cryptsetup(8) for more information.
--keyfile-offset value
Skip value bytes at the beginning of the key file.
--keyfile-size, -l value
Read a maximum of value bytes from the key file. The default is to read the whole file
up to the compiled-in maximum that can be queried with --help. Supplying more data
than the compiled-in maximum aborts the operation.
This option is useful to cut trailing newlines, for example. If --keyfile-offset is
also given, the size count starts after the offset.
--volume-key-file, --master-key-file (OBSOLETE alias)
Use a volume key stored in a file. This allows one to open luks and bitlk device types
without giving a passphrase.
--volume-key-keyring <key description>
Use a volume key stored in a keyring. This allows one to open luks and device types
without giving a passphrase. The key and associated type has to be readable from
userspace so that volume key digest may be verified in before activation.
The <key description> uses keyctl-compatible syntax. This can either be a numeric key
ID or a string name in the format %<key type>:<key name>. See also KEY IDENTIFIERS
section of keyctl(1). When no %<key type>: prefix is specified we assume the key type
is user (default type).
--key-slot, -S <0-N>
This option selects a specific key-slot to compare the passphrase against. If the
given passphrase would only match a different key-slot, the operation fails.
The maximum number of key slots depends on the LUKS version. LUKS1 can have up to 8
key slots. LUKS2 can have up to 32 key slots based on key slot area size and key size,
but a valid key slot ID can always be between 0 and 31 for LUKS2.
--key-size, -s bits
Sets key size in bits. The argument has to be a multiple of 8. The possible key-sizes
are limited by the cipher and mode used.
See /proc/crypto for more information. Note that key-size in /proc/crypto is stated in
bytes.
This option can be used for plain device type only.
--size, -b <number of 512 byte sectors>
Set the size of the device in sectors of 512 bytes. Usable only with plain device
type.
--offset, -o <number of 512 byte sectors>
Start offset in the backend device in 512-byte sectors. This option is only relevant
with plain or loopaes device types.
--skip, -p <number of 512 byte sectors>
Start offset used in IV calculation in 512-byte sectors (how many sectors of the
encrypted data to skip at the beginning). This option is only relevant with plain or
loopaes device types.
Hence, if --offset n, and --skip s, sector n (the first sector of the encrypted
device) will get a sector number of s for the IV calculation.
--device-size size[units]
Instead of real device size, use specified value. Usable only with plain device type.
If no unit suffix is specified, the size is in bytes.
Unit suffix can be S for 512 byte sectors, K/M/G/T (or KiB,MiB,GiB,TiB) for units with
1024 base or KB/MB/GB/TB for 1000 base (SI scale).
--readonly, -r
set up a read-only mapping.
--shared
Creates an additional mapping for one common ciphertext device. Arbitrary mappings are
supported. This option is only relevant for the plain device type. Use --offset,
--size and --skip to specify the mapped area.
--timeout, -t <number of seconds>
The number of seconds to wait before timeout on passphrase input via terminal. It is
relevant every time a passphrase is asked. It has no effect if used in conjunction
with --key-file.
This option is useful when the system should not stall if the user does not input a
passphrase, e.g. during boot. The default is a value of 0 seconds, which means to wait
forever.
--tries, -T
How often the input of the passphrase shall be retried. The default is 3 tries.
--allow-discards
Allow the use of discard (TRIM) requests for the device. This is also not supported
for LUKS2 devices with data integrity protection.
WARNING: This command can have a negative security impact because it can make
filesystem-level operations visible on the physical device. For example, information
leaking filesystem type, used space, etc. may be extractable from the physical device
if the discarded blocks can be located later. If in doubt, do not use it.
A kernel version of 3.1 or later is needed. For earlier kernels, this option is
ignored.
--perf-same_cpu_crypt
Perform encryption using the same cpu that IO was submitted on. The default is to use
an unbound workqueue so that encryption work is automatically balanced between
available CPUs.
NOTE: This option is available only for low-level dm-crypt performance tuning, use
only if you need a change to default dm-crypt behaviour. Needs kernel 4.0 or later.
--perf-submit_from_crypt_cpus
Disable offloading writes to a separate thread after encryption. There are some
situations where offloading write bios from the encryption threads to a single thread
degrades performance significantly. The default is to offload write bios to the same
thread.
NOTE: This option is available only for low-level dm-crypt performance tuning, use
only if you need a change to default dm-crypt behaviour. Needs kernel 4.0 or later.
--perf-no_read_workqueue, --perf-no_write_workqueue
Bypass dm-crypt internal workqueue and process read or write requests synchronously.
NOTE: These options are available only for low-level dm-crypt performance tuning, use
only if you need a change to default dm-crypt behaviour. Needs kernel 5.9 or later.
--test-passphrase
Do not activate the device, just verify passphrase. The device mapping name is not
mandatory if this option is used.
--header <device or file storing the LUKS header>
Specify detached (separated) metadata device or file where the header is stored.
WARNING: There is no check whether the ciphertext device specified actually belongs to
the header given. In fact, you can specify an arbitrary device as the ciphertext
device with the --header option. Use with care.
--disable-external-tokens
Disable loading of plugins for external LUKS2 tokens.
--disable-locks
Disable lock protection for metadata on disk. This option is valid only for LUKS2 and
ignored for other formats.
WARNING: Do not use this option unless you run cryptsetup in a restricted environment
where locking is impossible to perform (where /run directory cannot be used).
--disable-keyring
Do not load volume key in kernel keyring and store it directly in the dm-crypt target
instead. This option is supported only for the LUKS2 type.
--link-vk-to-keyring <keyring_description>::<key_description>
Link volume key in a keyring with specified key name. The volume key is linked only if
requested action is successfully finished.
<keyring_description> string has to contain existing kernel keyring description. The
keyring name may be optionally prefixed with "%:" or "%keyring:" type descriptions.
Or, the keyring may also be specified directly by numeric key id. Also special keyring
notations starting with "@" may be used to select existing predefined kernel keyrings.
The string "::" is delimiter used to separate keyring description and key description.
<key_description> part describes key type and key name of volume key linked in the
keyring described in <keyring_description>. The type may be specified by adding
"%<type_name>:" prefix in front of key name. If type is missing default user type is
applied. If the key of same name and same type already exists (already linked in the
keyring) it will get replaced in the process.
See also KEY IDENTIFIERS section of keyctl(1).
--token-id
Specify what token to use and allow token PIN prompt to take precedence over
interactive keyslot passphrase prompt. If omitted, all available tokens (not protected
by PIN) will be checked before proceeding further with passphrase prompt.
--token-only
Do not proceed further with action if token based keyslot unlock failed. Without the
option, action asks for passphrase to proceed further.
It allows LUKS2 tokens protected by PIN to take precedence over interactive keyslot
passphrase prompt.
--token-type type
Restrict tokens eligible for operation to specific token type. Mostly useful when no
--token-id is specified.
It allows LUKS2 type tokens protected by PIN to take precedence over interactive
keyslot passphrase prompt.
--sector-size bytes
Set encryption sector size for use with plain device type. It must be power of two and
in range 512 - 4096 bytes. The default mode is 512 bytes.
Note that if sector size is higher than underlying device hardware sector, using this
option can increase risk on incomplete sector writes during a power fail.
Increasing sector size from 512 bytes to 4096 bytes can provide better performance on
most of the modern storage devices and also with some hw encryption accelerators.
--iv-large-sectors
Count Initialization Vector (IV) in larger sector size (if set) instead of 512 bytes
sectors. This option can be used only with plain device type.
NOTE: This option does not have any performance or security impact, use it only for
accessing incompatible existing disk images from other systems that require this
option.
--persistent
If used with LUKS2 devices and activation commands like open or refresh, the specified
activation flags are persistently written into metadata and used next time
automatically even for normal activation. (No need to use cryptab or other system
configuration files.)
If you need to remove a persistent flag, use --persistent without the flag you want to
remove (e.g. to disable persistently stored discard flag, use --persistent without
--allow-discards).
Only --allow-discards, --perf-same_cpu_crypt, --perf-submit_from_crypt_cpus,
--perf-no_read_workqueue, --perf-no_write_workqueue and --integrity-no-journal can be
stored persistently.
--refresh
Refreshes an active device with new set of parameters. See cryptsetup-refresh(8) for
more details.
--unbound
Allowed only together with --test-passphrase parameter, it allows one to test
passphrase for unbound LUKS2 keyslot. Otherwise, unbound keyslot passphrase can be
tested only when specific keyslot is selected via --key-slot parameter.
--tcrypt-hidden, --tcrypt-system, --tcrypt-backup
Specify which TrueCrypt on-disk header will be used to open the device. See TCRYPT
section in cryptsetup(8) for more info.
--veracrypt
This option is ignored as VeraCrypt compatible mode is supported by default.
--disable-veracrypt
This option can be used to disable VeraCrypt compatible mode (only TrueCrypt devices
are recognized). Only for TCRYPT extension. See TCRYPT section in cryptsetup(8) for
more info.
--veracrypt-pim, --veracrypt-query-pim
Use a custom Personal Iteration Multiplier (PIM) for VeraCrypt device. See TCRYPT
section in cryptsetup(8) for more info.
--serialize-memory-hard-pbkdf
Use a global lock to serialize unlocking of keyslots using memory-hard PBKDF.
NOTE: This is (ugly) workaround for a specific situation when multiple devices are
activated in parallel and system instead of reporting out of memory starts
unconditionally stop processes using out-of-memory killer.
DO NOT USE this switch until you are implementing boot environment with parallel
devices activation!
--external-tokens-path absolute_path
Override system directory path where cryptsetup searches for external token handlers
(or token plugins). It must be absolute path (starting with '/' character).
--batch-mode, -q
Suppresses all confirmation questions. Use with care!
If the --verify-passphrase option is not specified, this option also switches off the
passphrase verification.
--debug or --debug-json
Run in debug mode with full diagnostic logs. Debug output lines are always prefixed by
#.
If --debug-json is used, additional LUKS2 JSON data structures are printed.
--version, -V
Show the program version.
--usage
Show short option help.
--help, -?
Show help text and default parameters.
REPORTING BUGS
Report bugs at cryptsetup mailing list <cryptsetup@lists.linux.dev> or in Issues project
section <https://gitlab.com/cryptsetup/cryptsetup/-/issues/new>.
Please attach output of the failed command with --debug option added.
SEE ALSO
Cryptsetup FAQ <https://gitlab.com/cryptsetup/cryptsetup/wikis/FrequentlyAskedQuestions>
cryptsetup(8), integritysetup(8) and veritysetup(8)
CRYPTSETUP
Part of cryptsetup project <https://gitlab.com/cryptsetup/cryptsetup/>.