The /var/yp/updaters file is a makefile used for updating NIS maps. NIS maps can only be updated in a secure network; that is, one that has a publickey file. Each entry in the file is a make target for a particular NIS map. For example, if there is an NIS map named passwd.byname that can be updated, there should be a make target named passwd.byname in the updaters file with the command to update the file.
The information necessary to make the update is passed to the update command through standard input. All items are followed by a new line except for actual bytes of key and actual bytes of data. The information passed is described below:
After getting this information through standard input, the command to update the map determines whether the user is allowed to make the change. If the user is not allowed, the update command exits with the YPERR_ACCESS status. If the user is allowed to make the change, the command should make the change and exit with a status of 0. If any errors exist that may prevent the updaters file from making the change, the command should exit with the status that matches a valid NIS error code described in the rpcsvc/ypclnt.h file.
This file is part of NFS in Network Support Facilities in Base Operating System (BOS) Runtime.
The publickey file.
The update command.
The ypupdated daemon.
Checklist for Administering Secure NFS, Network File System (NFS) Overview for System Management, Network Information Service (NIS) Overview for System Management in AIX Version 4.3 System Management Guide: Communications and Networks.