Netscape DIRECTORY SERVER 6.1 - PLUG-IN Manual page 598

operational attributes Attributes that are used by servers for administering the
directory. For example, is an operational attribute that specifies the
creatorsName
DN of the user who added the entry. Operational attributes are not returned in any
search results unless you specify the attribute by name in the search request.
referral Refers an LDAP client to another LDAP server. An LDAP server can be
configured to send your client a referral if your client requests a DN with a suffix
that is not in the server's directory tree (for example, if the directory includes
entries under "o=example.com" and your client requests an entry under
"o=netscape.com").
Referrals contain LDAP URLs that specify the host, port, and base DN of another
LDAP server.
Note that referrals are not the same as (but are similar to) search references. A
search reference is returned as part of the results of a search; a referral is returned
when the base DN of a search (or the target DN of any other LDAP operation) is
not part of the LDAP server's directory tree.
referral hop limit The maximum number of referrals that your client should
follow in a row. For example, suppose your client receives a referral from LDAP
server A to LDAP server B. After your client follows the referral to LDAP server B,
that server sends you a referral to LDAP server C, which in turn refers you to
LDAP server D. Your client has been referred 3 times in a row. If the referral hop
limit is 2, the referral hop limit has been exceeded.
root DSE An entry (a DSE) that is located at the root of the DIT.
search reference Also known as continuation references, search result references,
or smart referrals. A search reference is an entry in the directory that refers to
another LDAP server (the reference is in the form of an LDAP URL).
Search references are returned in search results along with entries found in the
search. (A referral, on the other hand, is returned before searching through any
entries. A referral is returned if the base DN does not have a suffix that is handled
by the server.)
search result reference See search reference.
server plug-in Netscape Directory Server supports a plug-in interface that allows
you to extend the functionality of the server. You can write plug-ins that handle
extended operations or SASL authentication requests.
smart referral See search reference.
598 Netscape Directory Server Plug-In Programmer's Guide • August 2002