root cannot login to server when shadow passwords are in affect

[Henry F. Johnson]

This morning I configured shadow passwords on an HP-UX 11i v2 server (rp7410). I left a terminal window open and I had fellow sysadmins try to login. They were unable to login using ssh to the server. Once I ran the pwunconv command they were able to get in using root's password. Please provide suggestions how we can over come this issue.

[OldSchool · Accepted solution]

a little more info please.

is ssh configured for passwordless login (i.e. auth keys), or is it prompting for password

you can also try the "-v" switch of ssh to gather more info. multiple -v's are allowed

[Jeeshan]

Hi Henry

Change following line in the /etc/nsswitch.conf

passwd: compat
to
passwd: files

the conversion will work.

[Henry F. Johnson]

The system prompts for a password when using ssh. I changes the settings in /etc/nsswitch.conf and now it works with no problem. Please tell me why this should work using files instead of compat.

[Tim Nelson]

compat is for NIS is it not ? Are you using NIS ?

I do not use the shadow option but instead the trusted and have not experienced if the pwconv changes the nsswitch.conf or not.