Apple Mac OS X Server (version 10.2.3 or later) - Manual (Page 110)

110 Chapter 2
Using Berkeley Software Distribution (BSD) Configuration
Files
Historically, UNIX computers have stored administrative data in configuration files such as
/etc/passwd
/etc/group
/etc/hosts
Mac OS X is based on a BSD version of UNIX, but normally gets administrative data from
directory domains for the reasons discussed at the beginning of this chapter.
In Mac OS X version 10.2 and later (including Mac OS X Server version 10.2 and later), Open
Directory can retrieve administrative data from BSD configuration files. This capability
enables organizations that already have BSD configuration files to use copies of the existing
files on Mac OS X computers. BSD configuration files can be used alone or in conjunction
with other directory domains.
To use BSD configuration files, you must do the following:
m Specify which BSD configuration files to use, and map their contents to Mac OS X record
types and attributes. Instructions for doing this are next.
m Set up each BSD configuration file with the data required by Mac OS X directory services.
See “Setting Up Data in BSD Configuration Files” on page 114 for instructions.
m Create a custom search policy that includes the BSD configuration files domain. For
instructions, see “Defining a Custom Search Policy” on page 88.
Mapping BSD Configuration Files
A computer with Mac OS X version 10.2 or later can get information about users and
resources from BSD configuration files. Mac OS X determines which BSD configuration files
to use by inspecting the file DSFFPlugin.plist (located in /Library/Preferences/
DirectoryService). This file identifies each BSD configuration file that contains administrative
data. In addition, DSFFPlugin.plist maps the data in each BSD configuration file to specific
Mac OS X record types and attributes. In other words, DSFFPlugin.plist tells Mac OS X how to
extract particular data items from BSD configuration files.
The DSFFPlugin.plist file initially specifies four BSD configuration files that contain
administrative data:
nigrep Searches all NetInfo domains for all instances of a string you specify.
nicl Creates, reads, or manages NetInfo data.
Utility Description
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