Networking Guide
Chapter 7, Configuring the Network Information Service (NIS)

Viewing timestamp

Viewing timestamp

Each NIS map includes a timestamp that indicates when the map was built. Viewing this timestamp can be valuable when troubleshooting.

This timestamp is used by NIS programs such as ypxfr on a copy-only server to compare its map versions with those on a master. If the master version has a newer timestamp, the newer version is retrieved.

It may be useful to view this timestamp to ensure synchronization of maps. This timestamp is readable as a string whose value is the standard UNIX system timestamp (seconds since 1970). If this value on a map on a copy-only server is less than that on the map on the master server, the master is newer and hasn't been transferred. If the value on the copy-only server is larger than the master, it may reveal that a bogus master exists somewhere that is updating nonmaster servers.

To view the timestamp, enter:

   ypmatch YP_LAST_MODIFIED mapname
The date is displayed as:
   YP_LAST_MODIFIED : 0736625147

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