10.5: Some additional replacement tools for NetInfo

Nov 13, '07 07:30:00AM

Contributed by: sunwolf48

This may be more a server admin topic, but since there isn't one for Leopard Server I'll mention it here.

Yes, many have noticed (and some with great joy) that NetInfo is no longer part of the client OS (it's been gone from the server for a while). Most notably, NetInfo Manager is gone, replaced by Directory Utility, advanced settings in the Accounts System Preference (right-click on a user to see it), and some command line tools. The root account can be enabled from Directory Utility or use dsenableroot from the command line.

The main point of this hint is that all the ni* command line tools are gone, too. If you have written scripts to e.g. create a new user using the ni* tools, now is the time to rewrite them using dscl and other related tools:

Although the NetInfo database itself is gone, the equivalent data is at /var/db/dslocal -- and in plist XML format, so it's fairly easy to read and modify. As with all changes to critical data structures, I'd suggest having a good backup before making changes. Changes at this level could render your system unbootable.

[robg adds: We've covered other aspects of NetInfo's demise, but there's some new info in this hint.]

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