Setup
Create a master NetInfo server
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When you set up a network, you must set up a master NetInfo server for each domain. A master NetInfo server runs the processes that provide access to the domain information. 

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BEFORE YOU START: You need to determine the Internet address for the computer you use for the master server. Be sure it's running NEXTSTEP and has sufficient RAM and disk storage for your network.  Also, make sure the computer is not attached to the network when you set up the master server. 
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1	Log in as root on the computer you want to use for the master server.
	If you don't log in as root, you can enter the root password when you start SimpleNetworkStarter.
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2	Double-click SimpleNetworkStarter in NextAdmin.
	SimpleNetworkStarter checks the existing /etc/netinfo databases and makes copies. You can choose Log from the SNS menu to monitor SNS operations.
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3	Click the option "Provide the services specified below" in section 1 of the SimpleNetworkStarter window ;../Reference/Tools/SimpleNetworkStarter/SimpleNetworkStarterPanels/SimpleNetworkStarterWindow.rtfd;;¬.
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4	Enter a name for the computer and its Internet address section 2 of the window ;../Reference/Tools/SimpleNetworkStarter/SimpleNetworkStarterPanels/SimpleNetworkStarterWindow.rtfd;;¬.
	You can ignore the Network Options and NetInfo Options buttons for now. 
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5	Check the appropriate options in section 3 of the window ;../Reference/Tools/SimpleNetworkStarter/SimpleNetworkStarterPanels/SimpleNetworkStarterWindow.rtfd;;¬.
	You always check the option to maintain the master copy of network administrative data.

	If you're creating a tiny network, you can check all the other options, too, and accept all the default values.

	If your network has more than two or three computers, you shouldn't locate all the services on the computer running the master server. 

	If you specify directories other than the default directories, you must create them before you set up the master server.

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6	Click Configure.
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	SimpleNetworkStarter creates the directories you checked and sets up a root domain database in /etc/netinfo with the tag name network. 

	If you want to examine the SNS log after you've finished creating the master server, you can use the Edit application in NextApps to open /usr/adm/SNS.log.

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Related topics (click a ¬)
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Concepts
Not sure what a master server is or why you need one? Want help with planning your network?
;AboutSetup.rtfd;;¬	About Setup

Confused about domains?
;../NetInfo/AboutNetInfo.rtfd;;¬	About NetInfo

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How to
If you have more than two or three computers, you need clone servers to back up your master.
;CreateTwoLevelCloneServer.rtfd;;¬	Create a two-level clone server

If you have more than three or four domain levels, you need clone servers for each domain.
;CreateMultiLevelCloneServer.rtfd;;¬	Create a multilevel clone server