HP XC System Software Administration Guide Version 2.1
10.5 Changing the Root Password
The follo win g procedure describes how to chang e the root password and propagate that change
throughout the HP XC system:
1. Log in as superuser on the head node.
2. Use the passwd comm and to change the password locally on the head node.
At this time, the root password is changed only on the head node.
3. Update the golden image to ensure that the root password change is propagated the next
time the nodes are reinstalled:
# updateimage --gc ‘hostname --no-netboot
See Section 7.3 for additional information on updating the golden im age.
4. Run the fo llo win g commands to update all the appropriate files throughout the HP XC
system:
# pdcp -a -x ‘hostname‘ /etc/password /etc/password
# pdcp -a -x ‘hostname‘ /etc/group /etc/group
# pdcp -a -x ‘hostname‘ /etc/shadow /etc/shadow
# pdcp -a -x ‘hostname‘ /etc/gshadow /etc/gshadow
When this step is complete, the root p a ssw ord is changed on all the nodes in the HP
XC system.
10.6 Synchronizing the NIS Database
If you configured a slave Network Information Service (NIS) server on th e head nod e, you
must en sure that the NIS d a tabase on the head node is synchronized periodically with the
master NIS server.
The following procedure uses the cron utility and the ypxfr command and scripts to automate
periodic updates of th e NIS database. See the ypxfr
(8) manpage for more information on
this command.
_________________________ Note _________________________
The ypxfr scri pts ar e lo cated in th
e /usr/lib64/yp directory on
Itanium-based systems.
1. Log in as superuser on the head node.
2. Make a copy of the root crontab file into a temporary file nam ed
/tmp/root_crontab:
# crontab -l >/tmp/root_crontab 2>/dev/null
3. Use the text editor of your cho ice as follows:
a. Open the t emporary file.
b. Appen d the following lines to the temporary file:
# Download NIS maps according to
update frequency.
20 * * * * /usr/lib/yp/ypxfr_1per
hour
40 6 * * * /usr/lib/yp/ypxfr_1per
day
556,18*** /usr/lib/yp/ypxfr_
2perday
c. Save your changes and exit the text editor.
4. Replace the existing root user’s crontab file with the temporary file:
# crontab /tmp/root_crontab
Administering Local User Accounts 10-3