When Using NIS+

Follow the instructions below if you have problems while using NIS+ as a name service.

Problem

The root object does not exist in the NIS+ domain.

Verification: Enter the command:

niscat -o org_dir

Solution: Refer to Solaris NIS+ setup documentation.

Problem

The root account does not have access rights to create a table under the org_dir object.

Verification: Enter the command:

niscat -o org_dir

Solution: Use the nischmod command to change the permissions on the table.org_dir.domainname.

Problem

The root account does not have access rights to create a table under the org_dir object. Usually, this means the root account's principal name is not a member of the owning group for the org_dir object, or no owning group exists.

Verification: Enter this command to find the owning group name: niscat -o org_dir

Solution:

1. Enter nisgrpadm -l group to see the group members.

2. If the current system's principal name is not in the group, enter: nisgrpadm -a group principalname to add it. Typically, the group is admin. If it is not, edit the dhcpconfig script and change the group to match the group name in use.

3. Enter /usr/lib/nis/nisctl -fg to flush the cache for immediate update.

Problem

The domain name is unset.

Verification: Enter the command:

domainname

If the command lists an empty string, no domain name has been set for the domain.

Solution: Use the domainname command to set the proper domain name. Place the domain name value in the /etc/default domain.

Problem

The NIS_COLD_START file does not exist.

Verification: Enter the following command on the server system:

strings /var/nis/NIS_COLD_START

Solution: Create a NIS+ client. Refer to the Solaris NIS+ QuickStart documentation.

Problem

You choose NIS+ and the site is not running NIS+.

Verification: Log on to the server. Type in the command:

 ps -ef | grep nis

If NIS+ is running you will see output similar to: /usr/sbin/rpc.nisd -YB.

Solution: Create a NIS+ server:

1. On the client, set up the NIS+ root master server for the domain. For example:

   /usr/lib/nis/nisserve -r

2. Populate the NIS+ tables from the local /etc files. For example:

   nispopulate -F /etc

3. On the server, verify that NIS+ is running. For example:

   /usr/lib/nis/nisstat nisls org_dir niscat hosts.org_dir