[CentOS] NIS or not?

Tue Jan 28 09:02:36 UTC 2014
Sorin Srbu <Sorin.Srbu at orgfarm.uu.se>

Hi all,

We're getting to a point in our linux environment where it's starting to be 
cumbersome to keep shadow and passwd-files up-to-date for the users to login 
on each computer. Scripts can only get us so far. 8-/

I've looked a bit into central login systems for linux, and NIS and LDAP seem 
to be prevalent. NIS being the simpler-to-setup solution for small to medium 
networks as I understand it, while LDAP is the more modern and scalable 
solution.
See eg http://www.yolinux.com/TUTORIALS/NIS.html or 
http://sysadmin-notepad.blogspot.se/2013/06/nis-server-setup-on-rhelcentos.html.

NIS-wise, what is a "small to medium network"?
We have currently about 20-30'ish linux clients and servers, and the 
environment is not likely to increase much beyond this point.
Is a 30ish-computer setup, a small network?

The only thing I'm trying to accomplish is a system which will allow me to 
keep user accounts and passwords in one place, with one place only to 
administrate. NIS seems to be able to do that.

Comments and insights are much appreciated!

-- 
BW,
	Sorin
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