Login Access Restrictions

When a user logs in to a system, the login program consults the appropriate database according to the information listed in the /etc/nsswitch.conf file. The entries in this file can include files (designating the /etc files), nis (designating the NIS database), and nisplus (designating the NIS+ database). See the NIS+ and FNS Administration Guide or nsswitch.conf(4) for a description of this file.

The login program verifies the user name and password entered. If the user name is not in the password file or the password is not correct for the user name, the login program denies access to the system. When the user supplies a name from the password file and the correct password for the name, the system grants the user access to the system.