After you have set up your root password, you will have the option of
setting up different network password authentications:
- Enable NIS -- allows you to run a group of computers in the
same Network Information Service domain with a common password and group
file. There are two options here to choose from:
- NIS Domain -- this option allows you to specify which
domain or group of computers your system will belong to.
- NIS Server -- this option causes your computer to use
a specific NIS server, rather than ``broadcasting'' a message to the local
area network asking for any available server to host your system.
- Enable Shadow Passwords -- provides a very secure method of
retaining passwords for you.
The /etc/psswd file is replaced by /etc/shadow which is only
readable by root.
- MD5 Passwordallows a long password to be used up to 256
characters, instead of the standard eight letters or less.
Please Note:To configure the NIS option, you must be connected to an NIS
network. If you are unsure whether or not you are connected to an NIS
network, please ask you system administrator.
Unless you are setting up a NIS password, you will notice that both
Shadow password and MD5 are selected. We recommend you use
both to make your machine as secure as possible (see Figure
74).
Figure 74: Authentication
Configuration
