Conclusion
NIS is a very useful tool for centralized login management, but it has two shortcomings: NIS clients are typically limited to Unix or Linux operating systems, and the password information passes over the network unencrypted.
Newer authentication schemes overcome these issues. For example, LDAP, which is discussed in Chapter 31, "Centralized Logins Using LDAP and Radius," provides both encryption and the ability to be used on varied types of equipment. Unfortunately older operating systems don't support it, making NIS the preferred option in some cases.
As always, explore your options when deciding on a centralized login scheme. A wrong decision could haunt you for a long time.
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