Netscape DIRECTORY SERVER 7.0 - PLUG-IN Manual page 608

attribute Holds descriptive information about an entry. Attributes have a label
and a value. Each attribute also follows a standard syntax for the type of
information that can be stored as the attribute value.
attribute list A list of required and optional attributes for a given entry type or
object class.
authenticating directory server In pass-through authentication (PTA), the
authenticating Directory Server is the Directory Server that contains the
authentication credentials of the requesting client. The PTA-enabled host sends
PTA requests it receives from clients to the host.
authentication (1) Process of proving the identity of the client user to the
Directory Server. Users must provide a bind DN and either the corresponding
password or certificate in order to be granted access to the directory. Directory
Server allows the user to perform functions or access files and directories based on
the permissions granted to that user by the directory administrator.
(2) Allows a client to make sure they are connected to a secure server, preventing
another computer from impersonating the server or attempting to appear secure
when it is not.
authentication certificate Digital file that is not transferable and not forgeable
and is issued by a third party. Authentication certificates are sent from server to
client or client to server in order to verify and authenticate the other party.
base DN Base distinguished name. A search operation is performed on the base
DN, the DN of the entry and all entries below it in the directory tree.
base distinguished name See base DN.
bind DN Distinguished name used to authenticate to Directory Server when
performing an operation.
bind distinguished name See bind DN.
bind rule In the context of access control, the bind rule specifies the credentials
and conditions that a particular user or client must satisfy in order to get access to
directory information.
branch entry An entry that represents the top of a subtree in the directory.
608 Netscape Directory Server Plug-in Programmer's Guide • October 2004