OSF DCE Administration Guide--Core Components

Chapter 39. Importing UNIX Accounts to DCE
The passwd_import command creates entries in the registry that are based on
information in the /etc/passwd and /etc/group files. It provides a method of ensuring
account consistency between machines that use the DCE Security Service and those that
do not, and a means of adding an existing UNIX user base to the registry.
39.1 How passwd_import Works
When passwd_import processes entries, it compares group and password file entries to
registry entries. It can find two types of conflicts:
Name Conflicts These conflicts arise when the same name string is defined in
the registry and the group or password files. The names joe
102 and joe 555 exemplify such a conflict. The duplicate
name can represent the same user or two different users.
UNIX ID Conflicts These conflicts arise when the same UNIX ID is defined in
the registry and the group or password files for users with
different names. The names joe 102 and ann 102 exemplify
such a conflict.
These conflicts can be found separately, as in the preceding examples, or together. For
example, a registry entry of joe 102 and a UNIX entry of joe 102 are in conflict. When a
conflict is found, you must either supply the information that is used to change the
password and group file entries or inform passwd_import not to import that entry. The
passwd_import command makes no changes to existing registry principals, groups, or
accounts; but, if you so specify, it will create new principals, groups, and accounts in the
registry that are based on the group and password files.
39.1.1 The passwd_import Processing Steps
As passwd_import processes entries, it performs the following steps in sequence:
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