What is NIS?

• It is a distributed database system that replaces copies of commonly replicated configuration files with a centralized management facility.
• It maintains one database for each file on a central server.
• Machines that are using NIS retrieve information as needed from these databases.

What purpose does NIS serve ?

• Solves the main problem in a distributed computing environment of maintaining a single copy of common configuration files like /etc/passwd, /etc/group, /etc/hosts.
• Allows to centralize user and host information.
• Assures logins for users on all machines in NIS.