7.1 Configuration Utilities

This section provides information about using the following eDirectory configuration utilities:

7.1.1 The ndsconfig Utility

You can use the ndsconfig utility to configure eDirectory. This utility can also be used to add the eDirectory Replica Server into an existing tree or to create a new tree. For more information, see Section 1.6.4, Using the ndsconfig Utility to Add or Remove the eDirectory Replica Server.

NOTE:Ensure that the NCP™ server name is unique in the network.

To change the current configuration of the installed components, use the following syntax:

ndsconfig {set value_list | get [parameter_list] | get help [parameter_list]}

Refer to Section 7.2, Configuration Parameters for a description of ndsconfig parameters.

7.1.2 Using the ldapconfig Utility to Configure the LDAP Server and LDAP Group Objects

You can use the LDAP configuration utility, ldapconfig, on Linux, Solaris, and AIX systems to modify, view, and refresh the attributes of LDAP Server and Group objects.

For more information, see Using the ldapUtility on Linux and UNIX in the Novell eDirectory 8.8 Administration Guide.

7.1.3 Using the nmasinst Utility to Configure Novell Modular Authentication Service

For eDirectory 8.8, by default, ndsconfig configures NMAS. You can also use nmasinst on Linux, Solaris, and AIX systems to configure NMAS.

ndsconfig only configures NMAS and does not install the login methods. To install these login methods, you can use nmasinst. For more information, see Using the nmasinst Utility to Configure NMAS.

7.1.4 Using ndsd init Script

The ndsd init script starts the daemon when the system boots up, with the configuration parameters from the default configuration file, /etc/opt/novell/eDirectory/conf/nds.conf.

Before invoking ndsd, ensure that any SLP (Service Location Protocol) agent is running on the host. You can install OpenSLP, any native SLP available with your operating system, or Novell SLP.

To start ndsd, enter the following:

For Linux and Solaris: /etc/init.d/ndsd start

For HP-UX: /sbin/init.d/ndsd start

To stop ndsd, enter the following:

For Linux and Solaris: /etc/init.d/ndsd stop

For HP-UX: /sbin/init.d/ndsd stop

The following shell scripts are created in /opt/novell/eDirectory/sbin:

  • pre_ndsd_start

  • post_ndsd_start

  • pre_ndsd_stop

  • post_ndsd_stop

As the name indicates, the pre_ndsd_start script is executed before ndsd binary is started by the /etc/init.d/ndsd script. The post_ndsd_start script is executed after ndsd binary is started by the /etc/init.d/ndsd script. Similarly, the pre_ndsd_stop and post_ndsd_stop scripts are executed before and after killing ndsd process, respectively.

Users can add commands of their choice to these scripts to get them executed. By default, the post_ndsd_start script has commands to ensure that /etc/init.d/ndsd comes out after ensuring that the LDAP services are up and running.