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

The Switch File and PasswordInformationIt is possible to include and access password information in multiple repositories, suchas files and nisplus. You can use the nsswitch.conf file to establish the lookuporder for that information.Caution – files must be the first source in the nsswitch.conf file for passwdinformation.In an NIS+ environment, the passwd line of the nsswitch.conf file should list therepositories in the following order.passwd: files nisplusIn an NIS environment, the passwd line of the nsswitch.conf file should list therepositories in the following order.passwd: files nisTip – Listing files first allows root to log in, under most circumstances, even whenthe system encounters some network or naming services issues.Maintaining multiple repositories for the same user is not recommended. Bymaintaining centralized password management in a single repository for each user,you reduce the possibilities of confusion and error. If you choose to maintain multiplerepositories per user, update password information by using the passwd -rcommand.passwd -r repositoryIf no repository is specified with the -r option, passwd updates the repositories listedin nsswitch.conf in reverse order.44 System Administration Guide: Naming and Directory Services (DNS, NIS, and LDAP) • January 2005