Directory Design Overview; Design Process Outline - Netscape DIRECTORY SERVER 6.1 - DEPLOYMENT Deployment Manual

To connect your distributed data, you can create a special entry in a subtree of your
directory. All LDAP operations attempted below this entry are sent to a remote
machine where the entry is actually stored. This method is called chaining.
Chaining is implemented in the server as a plug-in. The plug-in is enabled by
default. Using this plug-in, you create database links, special entries that point to
data stored remotely. When a client application requests data from a database link,
the database link retrieves the data from the remote database and returns it to the
client.

Directory Design Overview

The previous sections described directory services in general and the Directory
Server in particular. Now it is time to consider the design of your own directory
service.
Planning your directory service before actual deployment is the most important
task to ensure the success of your directory. During your directory design you will
gather data about your directory requirements, such as environment and data
sources, your users, and the applications that will use your directory. With this
data, you can design a directory service that meets your needs.
However, keep in mind that the flexibility of Directory Server allows you to rework
your design to meet unexpected or changing requirements, even after you deploy
Directory Server.

Design Process Outline

The remainder of this guide divides the design process into six steps:
• How to Plan Your Directory Data.
Your directory will contain data, such as user names, telephone numbers, and
group details. Chapter 2, "How to Plan Your Directory Data," helps you
analyze the various sources of data in your organization and understand their
relationship with one another. It describes the types of data you might store in
your directory, and other tasks you need to perform to design the contents of
your Directory Server.
Directory Design Overview
Chapter 1 Introduction to Directory Server 21