Table 13-1 shows the features and benefits of DNS compared to NIS+.
Table 13-1 DNS and NIS+ Features and Benefits Compared
Feature |
DNS |
NIS+ |
---|---|---|
Security |
Unrestricted access to data |
All operations can be authenticated |
|
|
Administrator designates access rights for objects and entries |
API and human interface |
Allows read-only access to name service |
Allows read-write access to name service. Provides: - Efficient support of changing network environment - API support of administrative operations - Support of administrative and other distributed applications |
Updating |
By transfer of zone master files |
By incremental data transfer - Fast support of changing network environments - Stronger consistency |
Compatibility with NIS |
Not applicable |
Existing NIS applications can migrate smoothly |
Data support |
ASCII data only with packet size restriction |
Binary and ASCII data. Provides: - Support of variable information - Support of larger objects |
The main strength of DNS is in supporting hierarchical database partitions and replicas containing entries of relatively static information (such as host name and IP address). DNS enables you to access the Internet.
NIS+, in contrast, is a secure repository of changing administrative information (such as email aliases, Ethernet addresses, RPC program numbers) for enterprise networks.