TCP/IP Tutorial and Technical Overview - IBM Redbooks

Note that the speed of a network determines the performance and availability of
the NIS maps. When using NIS, the number of subordinate servers should be
tuned in order to achieve these goals.
Because NIS is not standardized by the IETF, implementations vary by platform.
However, most platforms make available the following common NIS commands:
makedbm Generate a DBM file from an input file.
ypcat Display the contents of a DBM file.
ypinit Set up an NIS master or subordinate server.
ypmake Performs the same function as makedbm, but provides the
option to push the resulting DBMs to subordinate servers.
ypmatch Prints the values associated with one or more keys in a DBM.
yppasswd Change a login password stored in a DBM.
yppush Pushes DBMs to subordinate servers.
ypwhich Indicates what NIS server a client is using.
ypxfr Pulls a DBM from the master server.
12.4 Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)
When implementing a Distributed Computing Environment (DCE), directory
services are automatically included because they are an intrinsic part of the DCE
architecture. However, though widely used, implementation of a DCE is not a
practical solution for every company needing directory services because it is an
“all-or-nothing” architecture. As such, if the other services provided by a DCE are
not required, or if implementation of the DCE model is not feasible (for example,
if it is not feasible to install the client software on every workstation within the
network), other directory service alternatives must be identified.
One such alternative is the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), which
is an open industry standard that has evolved to meet these needs. LDAP
defines a standard method for accessing and updating information in a directory,
and is gaining wide acceptance as the directory access method of the Internet. It
is supported by a growing number of software vendors and is being incorporated
into a growing number of applications.
For further information about LDAP, refer to the IBM Redbook Understanding
LDAP - Design and Implementation, SG24-4986.
Chapter 12. Directory and naming protocols 459