HP-UX System Administrator's Guide: Configuration Management

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 35)
• “Preventing Users from Logging In” (page 36)
• “Changing Login Special Characters” (page 37)
• “Controlling Usage and Processes with Run-Levels” (page 38)
• “Setting the System Clock” (page 40)
• “Setting System and Network Parameters” (page 41)
• “Customizing System-Wide and User Login Environments” (page 42)
• “Setting Shadow Password Mode” (page 43)
• “Setting Long User, Group, Host, and File Names” (page 43)
• “Configuring /etc/hosts” (page 44)
• “Configuring New HP-UX Systems into Workgroups” (page 45)
• “Configuring a New System into a Network” (page 45)
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 35