FIX: Error message when you try to create a Network Information Service (NIS) map on a Windows Server 2003 R2-based computer: "Invalid extension in map name"

On a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 R2-based computer, you try to create a Network Information Service (NIS) map by using Identity Management for UNIX (IDMU). When you do this, you cannot create a NIS map if the NIS map name contains a period.

For example, you may receive an error message that resembles the following if you use the nismap command-line utility in Windows Server 2003 R2:Note In this error message, name is the part of the NIS map name that appears after the period.

This problem occurs when you try to use a command that resembles one of the following commands:

• nismap create -i 1 -g " " -y auto.master
• nismap create -i 1 -g " " -y auto.home
• nismap create -i 1 -g " " -y auto.project

Hotfix information

A supported hotfix is available from Microsoft. However, this hotfix is intended to correct only the problem that is described in this article. Apply this hotfix only to systems that are experiencing this specific problem.

If the hotfix is available for download, there is a "Hotfix download available" section at the top of this Knowledge Base article. If this section does not appear, submit a request to Microsoft Customer Service and Support to obtain the hotfix.

Note If additional issues occur or if any troubleshooting is required, you might have to create a separate service request. The usual support costs will apply to additional support questions and issues that do not qualify for this specific hotfix. For a complete list of Microsoft Customer Service and Support telephone numbers or to create a separate service request, visit the following Microsoft Web site: Note The "Hotfix download available" form displays the languages for which the hotfix is available. If you do not see your language, it is because a hotfix is not available for that language.

Prerequisites

There are no prerequisites for installing this hotfix.

Restart requirement

You do not have to restart your computer after you apply this hotfix.

Hotfix replacement information

This hotfix does not replace any other hotfixes.

File information

The English version of this hotfix has the file attributes (or later file attributes) that are listed in the following table. The dates and times for these files are listed in Coordinated Universal Time (UTC). When you view the file information, it is converted to local time. To find the difference between UTC and local time, use the Time Zone tab in the Date and Time item in Control Panel.

For x86-based computers

For x64-based computers

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in the Microsoft products that are listed in the "Applies to" section.

After you apply this hotfix, the following are true:

• You can use the nismap command-line utility to create a nonstandard NIS map name that contains a period. The resulting NIS map may be suitable for use with a traditional UNIX automounter or with a Linux automounter.
• The nis2ad command-line utility accepts nonstandard NIS map names that contain a period. When you migrate a UNIX-based NIS solution to an IDMU server for NIS, you can use the nis2ad command-line utility together with a nonstandard NIS map name.
• You can use the nismap command-line utility to load data into a nonstandard NIS map.
• You can query a nonstandard NIS map by using a UNIX-based computer or a Linux-based computer.

For more information about software update terminology, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: For more information about how to configure a server computer to use NIS for a UNIX-to-Windows migration, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: The third-party products that this article discusses are manufactured by companies that are independent of Microsoft. Microsoft makes no warranty, implied or otherwise, regarding the performance or reliability of these products.