2.2 Setting up an OSX server as a NetInfo Master (10.2 server)

NetInfo is the method by which OS X stores user account information.

If you wish to share user account information between multiple OS X servers or clients - then you should set up at least one machine as a NetInfo Master.

During the installation process, "Open Directory Access" is launched automatically.

"Open Directory Access" allows you to decide if your server is a master (serving directory information to other machines) - or not (being served by a NetInfo master).

Click "Enable LDAP support on this computer"

LDAP is a directory is a more universal way of providing directory information.

In time it would probably be best if all your NetInfo directory information was served by LDAP instead. At the moment however, I know very little about LDAP - so we'll stick to NetInfo.

Passwords can either be stored locally in user records and authenticated against NetInfo, or stored on a password server.

We'll stick to what we know.

Click "stored and accessed locally in user records"

You will be presented with a recap of your choices.

Click "Go Ahead" if you are satisfied.

There will be a short delay while the "network" NetInfo domain is created.

Local information is stored in a NetInfo domain called "local".

Information being provided to other computers on the network is stored in a domain called "network".