newkey Command

Commands Reference, Volume 4

newkey Command

Purpose

Creates a new key in the /etc/publickey file.

Syntax

/usr/sbin/newkey [ -h HostName ] [ -u UserName ]

Description

The newkey command creates a new key in the /etc/publickey file. This command is normally run by the network administrator on the Network Information Services (NIS) master machine to establish public keys for users and root users on the network. These keys are needed for using secure Remote Procedure Call (RPC) protocol or secure Network File System (NFS).

The newkey command prompts for the login password of the user specified by the UserName parameter. Then, the command creates a new key pair in the /etc/publickey file and updates the publickey database. The key pair consists of the user's public key and secret key and is encrypted with the login password of the given user.

Use of this program is not required. Users may create their own keys using the chkey command.

You can use the Web-based System Manager Network application (wsm network fast path) to run this command. You could also use the System Management Interface Tool (SMIT) smit newkey fast path to run this command.

Flags

-h HostName	Creates a new public key for the root user at the machine specified by the HostName parameter. Prompts for the root password of this parameter.
-u UserName	Creates a new public key for a user specified by the UserName parameter. Prompts for the NIS password of this parameter.

Examples

To create a new public key for a user, enter:
```
newkey -u john
```
In this example, the newkey command creates a new public key for the user named john.
To create a new public key for the root user on host zeus, enter:
```
newkey -h zeus
```
In this example, the newkey command creates a new public key for the root user on the host named zeus.

Files

/etc/publickey

Stores encrypted keys for users.

Related Information

The chkey command, keylogin command.

The keyserv daemon.

Setting up and running Web-based System Manager in AIX Version 4.3 System Management Guide: Operating System and Devices.

System Management Interface Tool (SMIT): Overview in AIX Version 4.3 System Management Guide: Operating System and Devices.

Network File System (NFS) Overview for System Management in AIX Version 4.3 System Management Concepts: Operating System and Devices.

How to Export a File System Using Secure NFS, How to Mount a File System Using Secure NFS in AIX Version 4.3 System Management Concepts: Operating System and Devices.

Network Information Service (NIS) in AIX Version 4.3 Network Information Services (NIS and NIS+) Guide.

NIS Reference.