auto mounter?
 

I added a hard link for the server I wanted to mount in the/etc/fstab on the client machine.......this would be considered the auto mounter correct? just verifying...thanks

Yes,

Anything in /etc/fstab/ should be mounted on start-up.

what about with NIS??
 

is it ok to have a hard link for a server in the /etc/fstab even if we are using nis and there is an automount for the same server in there as well? what problems may this create if any? thanks

This is out of my league as I have never used NIS, however as far as I know, NIS kinda makes it so every computer on the network seems like it is all on the same computer. So, if I change my username and password on my computer it changes on all computers on the network.

The mounting of a server just gives you access to that server like it is a diretory on your system. So, I don't see it being a problem, but someone with NIS experience should really answer this one....sorry if I was no help.

Later