Solaris 9 Sun Certified System Administrator Study Guide

Know what the nsswitch.conf file does. The nsswitch.conf file is critical for naming services. It tells the client where to look to find naming service information.

Know which daemons need to be running on NIS servers and clients. NIS servers need to be running the ypserv and ypbind daemons. NIS clients need the ypbind daemon.

Know why you would use a directory besides /etc for NIS source files. An alternate directory for source files, such as /var/yp, is preferable for security reasons. If you use an alternate directory, you can remove the root entries from the passwd and shadow source files. This prevents the root password from being widely available across the network.

Know how to set up a NIS master server. After your source files are prepared, use the ypinit -m command.

Know how to make a custom map if there is an entry in makefile. Maps can be created with the make command if there is an entry for the map in makefile.

Know how to create maps if the source file is a text file. Maps can be created with the makedbm command.

Know which naming services use a hierarchical naming scheme. The NIS+, DNS, LDAP, and FNS naming services use hierarchical naming.

Know what DNS does and how to set up a DNS client. DNS resolves computer (host) names to IP addresses. The DNS client must have a local resolv.conf file properly configured, as well as the DNS service specified on the hosts: line in the nsswitch.conf file.

Know what LDAP does and how to set up an LDAP client by using profiles. LDAP was originally designed as a directory service protocol, and now the LDAP service acts as a naming service. LDAP will eventually replace NIS+ in Solaris. To set up an LDAP client by using a profile, use the ldapclient init command.