Creating a Domain

The working collective is a temporary group of clients and must be reset each session. Domains are permanent groups. Creating a domain enables you to group clients logically and provides a convenient access to them. To create a domain, use either the mkdsmitd command, the Distributed System Management Interface Tool (DSMIT) ASCII interface, or the DSMIT graphical interface. When you use the graphical interface, you can view the domain and its clients in the domain while you are creating it. The List All Domains option from the Manage Domains of Machines menu provides a list of available domains.

Note: Domains must be homogeneous, consisting only of clients whose operating systems are of the same type.

Prerequisite Conditions

A DSMIT server must reside on your system.

Create a Domain Using the Command Line

1. Use the mkdsmitd command to create domains.
   • Enter the mkdsmitd command without a flag to create a new empty domain. For example:

     mkdsmitd floor1

   • To add clients while creating a new domain, enter the mkdsmitd -m command and specific client names. For example:

     mkdsmitd -m M1,M2,M3 floor1

     Note: Do not put spaces between client names.

   For further explanation of all mkdsmitd command options, see the mkdsmitd command.
2. Edit the /usr/share/DSMIT/domains file and add the domain names in the following format:

   domain:machine1,machine2

   Note: Do not put spaces between client names.

   Domain names must begin with an alphanumeric character and can only contain the following characters:

   A-Z

   a-z

   0-9

   _ (underscore)

   - (dash)

Create a Domain Using the DSMIT Interface

1. Select the Manage Domains of Machines option from the Domain Management menu.
2. Select the Add Domain option from the Manage Domains of Machines menu.
3. Enter the new domain name in the fields provided. Use the arrow keys to move to the client information fields.
4. Enter the client name, operating system name, or domain name in the fields provided.

   Note: The client name must already be listed in the /usr/share/DSMIT/hosts file, the operating system must already be listed in the /usr/share/DSMIT/dsmitos file, and the domain name must already be listed in the /usr/share/DSMIT/domains file. A line entry in a /usr/share/DSMIT/domains file cannot exceed 2048 characters.

5. To designate whether to take the intersection or union of a client or domain, press F4 or use the Tab key to get a list of the union or intersection options.
6. Once you have entered the information, press the Enter key and an output message appears. If you entered the information correctly, the message screen tells you that the domain has been added. A message will tell you if you entered something incorrectly.

Create a Domain Using the DSMIT Graphical Interface

1. Enter the dsmit command. A Visual System Management (VSM) application appears with machine and domain objects.
2. Click on the domains icon in the types pane.
3. Drag the new domain object from the Templates area and drop it on the domains work area. A dialog will appear for the domain name and membership criteria.
4. Enter a name for the domain.
5. To add a machine to a domain, drag a machine object from the machines work area and drop it on a domain object in the domains work area.

Related Information

Distributed System Management Interface Tool (DSMIT) Overview.

Defining Clients.

Changing a Domain.

Removing a Domain.