HP-UX System Administrator's Guide: Configuration Management HP-UX 11i v3 (B3921-90017, September 2010)

2 Configuring System Parameters
This chapter describes the process of starting a preloaded system and setting general
system parameters. The topics include:
• “Starting A Preloaded System” (page 37)
• “Preventing Users from Logging In” (page 38)
• “Changing Login Special Characters” (page 39)
• “Controlling Usage and Processes with Run-Levels” (page 40)
• “Setting the System Clock” (page 42)
• “Setting System and Network Parameters” (page 43)
• “Customizing System-Wide and User Login Environments” (page 44)
• “Setting Shadow Password Mode” (page 45)
• “Setting Long User, Group, Host, and File Names” (page 46)
• “Configuring /etc/hosts” (page 46)
• “Configuring New HP-UX Systems into Workgroups” (page 47)
• “Configuring a New System into a Network” (page 48)
Starting A Preloaded System
System administrators can use these directions as a quick reference or print them out
for users about to start up their own systems.
IMPORTANT: System security is an important part of system configuration. HP-UX
provides a wide variety of security features, including basic file and access control,
Trusted System configuration, intrusion detection with HP-UX HIDS, and system
“lockdown” with HP-UX Bastille. Use the HP-UX System Administrator’s Guide: Security
Management to develop a security plan that meets your needs. You can install and
configure that plan as part of the following steps.
1. Turn on the monitor and computer system.
The system will run a series of self-tests. For information about these self-tests, see
your Owner’s Guide.
After a short time, a series of messages is displayed as various hardware and
software subsystems are activated. Unless something is wrong, you are not asked
to respond to these messages.
2. Enter information as it is requested.
You will need to know your host name and IP address. Your network administrator
can provide you with the host name and IP address.
Starting A Preloaded System 37