Configuring the Network Information Service (NIS)

Using NIS maps in the group file

You can incorporate NIS maps in a client's /etc/group file to supplement entries that are valid only locally. Group entries can be added from the NIS group map by starting them with the token ``+''. NIS entries for groups have the following format:

+[groupname]:[password]::[users]

The fields have the same meaning as for ordinary group(F) file entries except that there are no entries for the group ID. The group ID from the NIS entry is always used. An entry in the password field is ignored as group passwords are not supported. If specified, a comma-separated list of users is added to the list obtained from the NIS server.

The following entry inserts the entire NIS group file:

   +:::

You can exclude groups by starting their group entries with ``-'' instead of ``+'':

-groupname:

The following example group file defines a group local, adds members to the group giant, and includes all NIS groups except transport:

   local::100:fran,stan
   +giant:::bill,tina,alan,hetty
   -transport:
   +:::

NOTE: Applications that read group stop as soon as they find a matching entry. An entry for a locally defined group overrides the NIS entry for a group with the same name.