Naming and Directory Services (DNS, NIS, and LDAP)

Selecting a Different Configuration FileWhen you change a machine’s naming service, you need to modify that machine’sswitch file accordingly. For example, if you change a machine’s naming service fromNIS to NIS+, you need to install a switch file appropriate for NIS+. You change switchfiles by copying the appropriate template file to nsswitch.conf.If you are installing NIS+ on a machine using the NIS+ installation scripts, the NIS+template script is copied to nsswitch.conf for you. In this case, you do not have toconfigure the switch file unless you want to customize.Before proceeding to change switch files, make sure the sources listed in the file areproperly set up. In other words, if you are going to select the NIS+ version, the clientmust eventually have access to NIS+ service. If you select the local files version, thosefiles must be properly set up on the client.▼How to Modify the Name Service SwitchTo change to a switch file, follow these steps.Note – In order to use LDAP naming services, you must also properly configure allLDAP client machines, in addition to modifying the nsswitch.conf. See Chapter 12for more information.1. Become superuser or assume an equivalent role.Roles contain authorizations and privileged commands. For more informationabout roles, see “Using Role-Based Access Control (Tasks)” in System AdministrationGuide: Security Services.2. Copy the appropriate alternate file for the machine’s naming service over thensswitch.conf file.NIS+ Version (done automatically for you by NIS+ scripts)client1# cd /etcclient1# cp nsswitch.nisplus nsswitch.confNIS Versionclient1# cd /etcclient1# cp nsswitch.nis nsswitch.confLocal /etc Files Versionclient1# cd /etcclient1# cp nsswitch.files nsswitch.confChapter 2 • The Name Service Switch (Overview) 41