Prerequisite Reading - Red Hat DIRECTORY SERVER 8.1 - SCHEMA Reference

Preface
Welcome to the Red Hat Directory Server Schema Reference. Red Hat Directory Server is a powerful
and scalable distributed directory server application that uses the Lightweight Directory Access
Protocol (LDAP) standard. Directory Server creates centralized and distributed data repositories for
use with an intranet, extranet, and Internet applications. Integrating Directory Server into a computing
infrastructure smooths interactions and services for customers, clients, and employees.
The Directory Server Schema Reference describes most of the common object classes and attributes
defined by standard Directory Server schema. This reference is intended for system administrators
who manage and maintain Red Hat Directory Server and define the directory schema.
1. Purpose and Contents
The schema reference covers information about attributes and object classes used by entries in the
Directory Server:
• An overview of some of the basic concepts of the directory schema, including lists and descriptions
of default schema files, and descriptions of object classes, attributes, object identifiers (OIDs),
schema checking, and extending server schema.
• Alphabetical lists of the standard attributes, with definitions of their use, OIDs, and attribute syntax.
• Alphabetical lists of the standard object classes with descriptions of the object class, OIDs, and lists
of required and allowed attributes. (The defined attributes for the object classes do not include the
required and allowed attributes which are inherited from any superior object classes.)
• Directory Server's operational attributes and special attributes and object classes used by the server
as part of its configuration, to perform tasks, or to manage databases.
This guide is intended as a reference for schema elements that are used to describe directory entries,
like users, groups, and equipment, and some schema elements that are used to organize data in the
directory, like views and roles.
However, this schema reference does not cover core schema used to configure the Directory Server
itself. The directory service is also configured as directory entries within the cn=config subtree. For
descriptions of those attributes, see the Configuration, Command, and File Reference.

2. Prerequisite Reading

This guide is a reference covering the standard schema and the standard object classes and
attributes. However, this guide does not describe how to design, customize or maintain the schema,
nor does it give any information on replication. Those concepts are described in the Deployment
Guide. Read that book before continuing with this manual.
Preliminary planning for your schema needs depends on deciding how to represent the data which will
be stored in the directory and the kinds of identities — different people, equipment, and facilities —
which will be represented. Chose predefined schema elements to meet as many of the data needs as
possible. These predefined schema elements are listed in this guide. After fully utilizing the standard
schema, then begin planning how to extend the schema.
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