names_allow.txt

The names_allow.txt file defines the network host names that a NetBackup client or server can use when establishing connections. This file is required when NetBackup client or server names do not correlate to their host names and IP addresses.

For example, when:

• NetBackup clients are using DHCP or another dynamic addressing scheme. Here, a client probably uses a different IP address each time it attempts a connection.
• A NetBackup server or client has more than one network interface. Here, the host name associated with the IP address can be different than the NetBackup server or client name.
• A NetBackup server or client connects through a gateway. Here, the peername for the gateway can be different than the NetBackup server or client name.

In the above instances, when a client or server attempts a connection, NetBackup checks the names_allow.txt file to determine if the network-host name for the connection correlates to a NetBackup name. If a match is found, the connection is allowed. Otherwise, NetBackup checks the names_deny.txt file.

If NetBackup client and server names correlate to their host names and IP addresses, then neither the names_allow.txt file or the names_deny.txt file are used.

Each line in names_allow.txt contains a logical name (usually, a NetBackup client name) followed by a colon and then a list of comma-separated host names or IP addresses.

The default file is empty.

The syntax rules for names_allow.txt are the same as for methods_allow.txt. The only variation is the ALL keyword, which in this case specifies all valid names or all possible hosts. See Syntax rules for methods.txt.