Configuring the Network Information Service (NIS)

Modifying existing maps

To modify an existing map:

Edit the ASCII source file for the map.
Run the ypmake command on the map to remake the map from the ASCII source file and propagate it to slave servers.

All map databases and their ASCII source files should reside on the master server.

If the ASCII source file becomes unavailable, you can remake it from the NIS map by entering the following:

cd /etc/yp
./makedbm -u mapname > /etc/mapname

Following is an example for modifying the hosts map from its ASCII source file /etc/hosts.

Log into the master server.
Edit the /etc/hosts file.
Issue the following commands to rebuild and propagate the map:

cd /etc/yp
./ypmake hosts

Use ypmake without arguments to modify and propagate all maps automatically.

WARNING: Run ypmake or make only on the master server; unpredictable behavior in the NIS map set may result if they are run on slave or copy-only servers.