ypset(8) on Solnix vs Linux and the BSDs
On Solnix, ypset is the illumos ypset at /usr/sbin/ypset. It has the same two options and the same server argument as the FreeBSD, OpenBSD and NetBSD versions. The Solnix page adds a precondition: ypbind must have been started with its ypset or ypsetme option, or ypset will not work.
The manual pages
- Solnix: ypset(8) from
pkgs.solnix.illumos-world-man· illumos.org - FreeBSD: ypset(8) 15.1-RELEASE
- OpenBSD: ypset(8) 8.0
- NetBSD: ypset(8) 11.0
What Solnix runs
A default Solnix system runs the illumos ypset at /usr/sbin/ypset. No other variants are shipped. The package is pkgs.solnix.illumos-world-man.
Differences
| Compared with | Topic | What differs |
|---|---|---|
| FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD | ypbind must allow ypset | The Solnix page says ypbind must be started with its ypset or ypsetme option before ypset can run (see ypbind(8)). The FreeBSD, OpenBSD and NetBSD pages do not state this requirement. Source: Solnix ypset(8) DESCRIPTION; FreeBSD ypset(8) DESCRIPTION; OpenBSD ypset(8) DESCRIPTION; NetBSD ypset(8) DESCRIPTION |
| FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD | existing binding required | Solnix says ypset works only if the node already has a current valid binding for the domain and ypbind allows ypset. The BSD pages do not mention this condition. Source: Solnix ypset(8) DESCRIPTION (server paragraph); FreeBSD/OpenBSD/NetBSD ypset(8) DESCRIPTION |
| FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD | server argument form | Solnix says server must be a name or an IP address, and in most cases should be an IP address. The BSD pages only call it server and say nothing about the form. Source: Solnix ypset(8) DESCRIPTION; FreeBSD/OpenBSD/NetBSD ypset(8) SYNOPSIS |
| FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD | -h host form | Solnix says to specify host as a name with -h. The BSD pages say only that -h sets the binding on host instead of the local machine.Source: Solnix ypset(8) OPTIONS -h; FreeBSD/OpenBSD/NetBSD ypset(8) -h |
| FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD | binding can change after ypset | Solnix documents that ypbind may rebind to another server, even while you check, because of NIS load-balancing. Its example shows ypset host1 followed by ypwhich reporting host2. The BSD pages say only that ypbind tests the binding and takes appropriate action. Source: Solnix ypset(8) DESCRIPTION (example% ypset host1); FreeBSD/OpenBSD/NetBSD ypset(8) DESCRIPTION |
| FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD | transport | Solnix says ypset tries to bind over a connectionless transport. yp_all() uses connection-oriented transport and derives the server address from the connectionless one. The BSD pages do not describe transport. Source: Solnix ypset(8) DESCRIPTION (last paragraphs); FreeBSD/OpenBSD/NetBSD ypset(8) DESCRIPTION |
| FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD | default domain source | The BSD pages say the default domain is the one returned by domainname(1). The Solnix page says only 'the default domain' and does not name a command. Source: Solnix ypset(8) OPTIONS -d; FreeBSD/OpenBSD/NetBSD ypset(8) -d |
| FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD | terminology and related pages | Solnix and the FreeBSD and NetBSD pages say NIS. The OpenBSD page says YP. Solnix points to ypwhich(1), ypfiles(5) and attributes(7). The BSD pages point to ypbind(8), domainname(1), ypcat(1) and ypmatch(1). Source: Solnix ypset(8) SEE ALSO; OpenBSD ypset(8) NAME and SEE ALSO; FreeBSD ypset(8) SEE ALSO; NetBSD ypset(8) SEE ALSO |
Standards
- POSIX: ypset is not a POSIX.1-2024 utility.
Writing portable scripts
- Give ypset the server as an IP address, and run ypbind with its ypset or ypsetme option first on Solnix. The option order differs between the pages, but both orders work as written in the synopses.
- Do not assume ypset takes effect: ypbind may rebind to another server, so check with ypwhich afterwards.
Every difference here is taken from the manual pages linked above: Solnix's published page, Linux (man-pages and the GNU and util-linux manuals), FreeBSD, OpenBSD and NetBSD. Each row names its source. Where a manual is silent, this page is too. Compiled 2026-10-26. Found a mistake? Mail hackers@lists.solnix.io.