You can run this via cron, e.g. */5 * * * * make -s -C /var/yp >/dev/null 2>&1
We would if necessary, but we run the password file master on a p2-300 that is also the Squid server and the swap-files-for-discless-workstations machine, and is not used for normal shell logins (though there's nothing to stop people doing so). We use this machine for all adduser/remuser/vipw and similar admin work.
clients are always passed to the server and then are system-wide. It's therefore better to use a server that is not used for normal client logins.
Are you changing the passwords on the NIS master by using passwd or yppasswd?
They are identical on our system - I've just checked with diff. Don't ask me how this came about. Re: creating new users. I get an export from our admin package (it's Acorn Squirrel BTW) and manipulate it with !Edit and !Pipedream until it's in a suitable form for batch submission to "adduser -batch ... ". Or that's what I used to do, now I have to generate a different form for "pw", which is rather more tediously secure about plain text passwords. Wish well-meaning people wouldn't force more security on us than we want. -- Christopher Dawkins, Felsted School, Dunmow, Essex CM6 3JG 01371-820527 or 07798 636725 cchd@felsted.essex.sch.uk