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Introduction to Directory Server
A global directory service solves the n+1 directory problem by providing a single,
centralized repository of directory information that any application can access.
However, giving a wide variety of applications access to the directory requires a
network-based means of communicating between the applications and the
directory. Directory Server uses LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) to
give applications access to its global directory service.
About LDAP
LDAP provides a common language that client applications and servers use to
communicate with one another. LDAP is a "lightweight" version of the Directory
Access Protocol (DAP) used by the ISO X.500 standard. DAP gives any application
access to the directory via an extensible and robust information framework, but at
an expensive administrative cost. DAP uses a communications layer that is not the
Internet standard TCP/IP protocol and has complicated directory-naming
conventions.
LDAP preserves the best features of DAP while reducing administrative costs.
LDAP uses an open directory access protocol running over TCP/IP and uses
simplified encoding methods. It retains the X.500 standard data model and can
support millions of entries for a modest investment in hardware and network
infrastructure.
Introduction to Directory Server
Directory Server includes the directory itself, the server-side software that
implements the LDAP protocol, and a graphical user interface that allows
end-users to search and change entries in the directory. Other LDAP clients are
also available, including the directory managers in the Netscape Console and the
Address Book feature in Netscape 7.x. In addition, you can purchase other LDAP
client programs or write your own using the LDAP client SDK included with the
Directory Server product.
Without adding other LDAP client programs, Directory Server can provide the
foundation for your intranet or extranet. Every Netscape server uses the directory
as a central repository for shared server information, such as employee, customer,
supplier, and partner data.
Chapter 1
Introduction to Directory Server
15
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