Hello all. I think I have a big problem. the /etc/passwd file got overwritten and now I can't su as root when I telnet into this machine. I am running yp on a different machine and tried to push the passwd file out to all machines, but it didn't help. I noticed that there is a passwd file in /iap/ypmaster and one in /etc, these were always different and now they are the same. Ever since they became the same file, root can't login, but normal users can. What is opasswd? I noticed that this is the file I need in the /etc directory, but without root privledges, I can't do anything. Does anyone have any ideas? Thanks.

as far as i know i always throught root was never passed when doing NIS or NIS+

You could always take the nis client machine down and boot it up into single usermode then mount the root partition and edit the shadow or password file as needed. adn also disable the nis daeamon from starting. then start over adding it back to the cluster.

Thanks for the tip. I was trying to figure out a way besides doing that only because the machine is in a different location than I am. But looks like I will be taking a trip after all. Thanks again.

I've got the same problem, but ALL users are locked out, including root. I've tried copying the shadow, passwd, and group files from the original solaris disk, with my others backed up, BUT still no go, nothing can log in, I can't even log in at single user mode. Is there another file that could be affecting the login? the permissions on logdevperm, passwd, group, login, are set to 644, shadow is r only for root.

try this out:


put CD 1 of 2 of solaris in cd drive
at ok prompt give boot cdrom -s
#TERM=sun
#export TERM
edit the /etc/shadow file and make the password field blank

Why cant you get in with single? There shouldnt be a login at single, it should just allow you to have a prompt.

If not, upon a reboot, you can interrupt at a certain point and then boot to a CD and replace the /etc/passwd file.

ALSO, there should be a passwd file in a /etc/skel directory i think or somewhere close to that path.


One more thing, IF you have .rhosts equivalency or /etc/hosts.equiv... you should be able to rlogin from another host as root over to this box... or rcp over the passwd file from another hope...

Kelam,
Solaris still checks the root password when booting into single user - the only way around it is to boot single user from the cdrom.

girish_shukla,
You forgot to mention to mount the disk - /etc is on the cdrom, not the disk. Mount your disk root partition to /mnt, cd to /mnt/etc, set your TERM, vi shadow....