Using BSD Configuration Files

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Historically, UNIX computers have stored administrative data in configuration files such as /etc/master.passwd, /etc/group, and /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.

1. Set up each BSD configuration file with the data required by Mac OS X directory services.
2. Create a custom search policy that includes the BSD configuration files domain.

   In a custom search policy, the BSD configuration files domain is listed as /BSD/local.

Another help topic explains how to create a custom search policy.

Mac OS X Server version 10.3 supports a fixed set of BSD configuration files. You can't specify which configuration files to use, nor can you map their contents to Mac OS X record types and attributes.