How to Specify a New Password Algorithm for an NIS Domain

When users in an NIS domain change their passwords, the NIS client consults its local algorithms configuration in the /etc/security/policy.conf file. The NIS client system encrypts the password.

Note:

If you are using the account-policy SMF stencil and the config/etc_default_passwd property is enabled, you must change the corresponding SMF property on every system that will use this new algorithm. For examples, see the procedures in Modifying Rights System-Wide As SMF Properties in Securing Users and Processes in Oracle Solaris 11.4. See also the account-policy(8S) man page.

You must assume the root role. For more information, see Using Your Assigned Administrative Rights in Securing Users and Processes in Oracle Solaris 11.4.

1. Specify the password encryption algorithm in the /etc/security/policy.conf file on the NIS client.
2. Copy the modified /etc/security/policy.conf file to every client system in the NIS domain.
3. To minimize confusion, copy the modified /etc/security/policy.conf file to the NIS root server and to the slave servers.