The nsswitch.conf(4) man page describes the file in detail. The file's basic syntax is:
database name-service-to-search
The database field can list one of many types of databases that are searched by the operating system. For example, the field could indicate a database that affects users, such as passwd or aliases, or a network database. The parameter name-service-to-search can have the values files, nis, or nis+ for the network databases. The hosts database can also have dns as a name service to search. You can also list more than one name service, such as nis+ and files.
In Example 5-4, the only search option that is indicated is files. Therefore, the local machine obtains security and automounting information, in addition to network database information, from files that are located in its /etc and /etc/inet directories.
Changing nsswitch.conf
The /etc directory contains the nsswitch.conf file that is created by the Solaris installation program. This directory also contains template files for the following name services:
nsswitch.files
nsswitch.nis
nsswitch.nis+
If you want to change from one name service to another, you can copy the appropriate template to nsswitch.conf. You can also selectively edit the nsswitch.conf file, and change the default name service to search for individual databases.
For example, on a network that runs NIS, you might have to change the nsswitch.conf file on network clients. The search path for the bootparams and ethers databases must list files as the first option, and nis. The following example shows the correct search paths.
Example 5-5 nsswitch.conf for a Client on a Network Running NIS
For complete details on the name service switch, refer to System Administration Guide: Naming and Directory Services (DNS, NIS, and LDAP) and System Administration Guide: Naming and Directory Services (FNS and NIS+).
bootparams Database
The bootparams database contains information that is used by machines that are configured to boot in the network client mode. You need to edit this database if your network has network clients. See "Configuring Network Clients" for procedures. The database is built from information that is entered into the /etc/bootparams file.
The bootparams(4) man page contains complete syntax for this database. The man page's basic syntax is shown in the following example:
machine-name file-key-server-name:pathname
For each network client machine, the entry might contain the following information: the name of the client, a list of keys, the names of servers, and path names.
The first item of each entry is the name of the client machine. Next is a list of keys, names of servers, and path names, separated by tab characters. All items but the first are optional. An example follows.
Example 5-6 bootparams Database
myclient root=myserver : /nfsroot/myclient \ swap=myserver : /nfsswap//myclient \ dump=myserver : /nfsdump/myclient |
In this example, the term dump=: tells client hosts not to look for a dump file.
Wildcard Entry for bootparams
In most instances, use the wildcard entry when editing the bootparams database to support clients. This entry follows:
* root=server:/path dump=: |
The asterisk (*) wildcard indicates that this entry applies to all clients that are not specifically named within the bootparams database.
ethers Database
The ethers database is built from information that is entered into the /etc/ethers file. This database associates host names to their Ethernet addresses. You need to create an ethers database only if you are running the RARP daemon. That is, you need to create this database if you are configuring network clients.
RARP uses the file to map Ethernet addresses to IP addresses. If you are running the RARP daemon in.rarpd, you need to set up the ethers file and maintain this file on all hosts that are running the daemon to reflect changes to the network.
The ethers(4) man page contains complete syntax information for this database. The man page's basic format follows:
Ethernet-address hostname #comment
Ethernet-address is the Ethernet address of the host.
hostname is the official name of the host.
#comment is any note that you want to append to an entry in the file.
The equipment manufacturer provides the Ethernet address. If a machine does not display the Ethernet address when you power up, see your hardware manuals for assistance.
When adding entries to the ethers database, ensure that host names correspond to the primary names in the hosts and ipnodes databases, not to the nicknames, as follows.
Example 5-7 Entries in the ethers Database
8:0:20:1:40:16 fayoum 8:0:20:1:40:15 nubian 8:0:20:1:40:7 sahara # This is a comment 8:0:20:1:40:14 tenere |
Other Network Databases
The remaining network databases seldom need to be edited.
networks database
The networks database associates network names with network numbers, enabling some applications to use and display names rather than numbers. The networks database is based on information in the /etc/inet/networks file. This file contains the names of all networks to which your network connects through routers.
The Solaris installation program configures the initial networks database. However, if you add a new network to your existing network topology, you must update this database.
The networks(4) man page contains full syntax information for /etc/inet/networks. The man page's basic format follows:
network-name network-number nickname(s) #comment
network-name is the official name for the network.
network-number is the number assigned by the InterNIC.
nickname is any other name by which the network is known.
#comment is any note that you want to append to an entry in the file.
You must maintain the networks file. The netstat program uses the information in this database to produce status tables.
A sample /etc/networks file follows.
Example 5-8 /etc/networks File