How to configure server for NIS for a UNIX-to-Windows migration

Server for NIS integrates the Network Information System (NIS) master role into Active Directory. As a result, you can migrate an existing NIS domain to Active Directory or create a fresh new NIS domain. If you do so, you can use either Microsoft Management Console (MMC) or the Nisadmin.exe and Nismap.exe command-line utilities to administer the NIS domain.

Add UNIX-subordinate NIS servers

You can use either Services for UNIX Administration Microsoft Management Console (MMC) or the Nismap.exe Windows command line utility to add a UNIX subordinate (slave) NIS server.

To use the Services for UNIX Administration MMC to add a UNIX subordinate NIS server:

1. Log on to the Server for NIS computer by using an administrative level account.
2. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Windows Services for UNIX, and then click Services for UNIX Administration.
3. Click Server for NIS, and then click the NIS domain in which you want to add a subordinate server.
4. Click the NIS Servers pane, type the name of the server in the Server Name box, and then click Add.
5. Click Apply.

To use a command line to add a UNIX subordinate NIS server:

1. Log on to the Server for NIS computer by using an administrative level account.
2. Click Start, click Run, type cmd, and then click OK.
3. Type the following command to add a server:
   nismap add -e server_name -a nis_domain ypservers
4. Type the following command to get a complete list of the nismap command-line parameters:
   nismap /?

Set encryption method for NIS domain

If all of your NIS computers are running Red Hat Linux 6.2 or 7.x, you can use the Crypt encryption method, the conventional UNIX encryption method, or the MD5 encryption method. If there are other kinds of UNIX computers that are using NIS in your NIS domain, you must use the Crypt setting. You can use either the Services for UNIX Administration MMC or the Nisadmin.exe command-line utility to set the encryption method.

To use the Services for UNIX Administration MMC to set the encryption method for an NIS domain:

1. Log on to the Server for NIS computer by using an administrative level account.
2. Click Start, point to Programs, point to Windows Services for UNIX, and then click Services for UNIX Administration.
3. Click Server for NIS, and then click the NIS domain in which you want to add a subordinate server.
4. Click the Maps tab, and then click the encryption method that you want to use in the UNIX passwords are encrypted using box.
5. Click Apply.

To use a command line to set the encryption method for an NIS domain:

1. From the command prompt, type the following command to set the encryption method to Crypt:
   nisadmin encryptiontype -d domainname crypt
2. For a complete list of the Nisadmin command-line parameters, type nisadmin /? at the command prompt.

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For more information about performing maintenance tasks after migrating from UNIX to Windows, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: