Information system network (English: the network information system abbreviated NIS) is a protocol that is used to designate directories and offers services in several UNIX platforms.

NIS function as a "phone book" that can be used to find resources in a network based on TCP / IP. Therefore, the original name of the NIS protocol is the Yellow Pages. NIS allow users and applications are through the network to find and access files and applications anywhere in the access network with a central server NIS. Information provided by the NIS Server example is the password file (/ etc / passwd), table hosts (/ etc / hosts), and e-mail address.

NIS operate by sending packets of data in a broadcast, and on most UNIX platforms, the NIS client can communicate with the NIS server by using Remote Procedure Call protocol, which runs in the top layer transport protocol, User Datagram Protocol (UDP). Implementation of the NIS service initially be less so in terms of security. Therefore, many NIS servers in a network-based UNIX often attacked. Sun Microsystems is developing a new protocol of the NIS, which is called as the NIS, which includes several security features (which is not owned by the NIS), although less popular.

http://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sistem_informasi_jaringan