(2015-02-10)
Problem:
NIS users log in but get told there's no home directory available. autofs appears to be starting correctly but isn't picking up NIS maps.
Solution:
If your distribution uses Upstart for starting processes, go to
/etc/init/autofs.conf and change the line that says
to
start on (local-filesystems and net-device-up IFACE!=lo)
This will make Upstart wait with launching autofs until filesystem and networking is available.
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Source)