updaters(4)

NAME

     updaters - configuration file for NIS updating

SYNOPSIS

     /var/yp/updaters

DESCRIPTION

     The file /var/yp/updaters is a makefile (see make(1S)) which
     is  used  for updating the Network Information Service (NIS)
     databases. Databases can only be updated in  a  secure  net-
     work,  that  is,  one that has a publickey(4) database. Each
     entry in the file is a make  target  for  a  particular  NIS
     database.  For  example,  if  there is an NIS database named
     passwd.byname that can be updated, there should  be  a  make
     target  named  passwd.byname  in  the updaters file with the
     command to update the file.

     The information necessary to make the update  is  passed  to
     the  update  command through standard input. The information
     passed is described below (all items are followed by a  NEW-
     LINE except for 4 and 6):

     1.    Network name of client wishing to make the  update  (a
           string).

     2.    Kind of update (an integer).

     3.    Number of bytes in key (an integer).

     4.    Actual bytes of key.

     5.    Number of bytes in data (an integer).

     6.    Actual bytes of data.

     After receiving this information through standard input, the
     command    to  update  the  particular  database  determines
     whether the user is  allowed to make the change.  If not, it
     exits  with  the status YPERR_ACCESS. If the user is allowed
     to make the change, the command makes the  change and  exits
     with  a  status  of  zero.  If there are any errors that may
     prevent the  updaters from making the change, it should exit
     with  the  status  that  matches  a  valid  NIS  error  code
     described in <rpcsvc/ypclnt.h>.

FILES

     /var/yp/updaters
           The makefile used for updating the  NIS databases.

SEE ALSO

     make(1S), rpc.ypupdated(1M), publickey(4)

NOTES

     The Network Information Service (NIS) was formerly known  as
     Sun Yellow Pages (YP).  The functionality of the two remains
     the same; only the name has changed. The name  Yellow  Pages
     is  a  registered trademark in the United Kingdom of British
     Telecommunications plc, and may not be used without  permis-
     sion.