Managing the Name Service Switch

When you change a machine's naming service, you need to modify that machine's name service switch information accordingly. For example, if you change a machine's naming service from files to NIS, you need to configure the name service switch to use NIS.

How to Use a Legacy nsswitch.conf File

1. Become an administrator.

   For more information, see How to Use Your Assigned Administrative Rights in Oracle Solaris 11.1 Administration: Security Services.

2. Copy the nsswitch.conf file to a new system.

   Make sure to name the file /etc/nsswitch.conf.

3. Load the information from the file into the SMF repository.

   # nscfg import -f svc:/system/name-service/switch:default

4. Refresh the service for the name service switch.

   # svcadm refresh name-service/switch

How to Switch the Source for a Database

1. Become an administrator.

   For more information, see How to Use Your Assigned Administrative Rights in Oracle Solaris 11.1 Administration: Security Services.

2. Change the source definition for the selected database.

   In this example, the database search order is first files, then nis.

   # svccfg -s system/name-service/switch 
   svc:/system/name-service/switch> setprop config/host = astring: "files nis"
   svc:/system/name-service/switch> quit

3. Refresh service for the name service switch.

   # svcadm refresh name-service/switch

How to Change the Source for All Naming Databases

1. Become an administrator.

   For more information, see How to Use Your Assigned Administrative Rights in Oracle Solaris 11.1 Administration: Security Services.

2. Change the config/default property.

   This property should use the source definition that is most common. In this example, the database search order is first files, then nis.

   # svccfg -s system/name-service/switch 
   svc:/system/name-service/switch> setprop config/default = astring: "files nis"
   svc:/system/name-service/switch> quit

3. (Optional) Change the properties for individual databases.

   Use this command to change the source definition for any database that does not use the order that is selected in the config/default property.

   # svccfg -s system/name-service/switch 
   svc:/system/name-service/switch> setprop config/host = astring: "files dns nis"
   svc:/system/name-service/switch> quit

4. Refresh the service for the name service switch.

   # svcadm refresh name-service/switch