Introduction to Directory ServerChapter 1 Introduction to Directory Server 15A 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 anetwork-based means of communicating between the applications and thedirectory. Directory Server uses LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) togive applications access to its global directory service.About LDAPLDAP provides a common language that client applications and servers use tocommunicate with one another. LDAP is a “lightweight” version of the DirectoryAccess Protocol (DAP) used by the ISO X.500 standard. DAP gives any applicationaccess to the directory via an extensible and robust information framework, but atan expensive administrative cost. DAP uses a communications layer that is not theInternet standard TCP/IP protocol and has complicated directory-namingconventions.LDAP preserves the best features of DAP while reducing administrative costs.LDAP uses an open directory access protocol running over TCP/IP and usessimplified encoding methods. It retains the X.500 standard data model and cansupport millions of entries for a modest investment in hardware and networkinfrastructure.Introduction to Directory ServerDirectory Server includes the directory itself, the server-side software thatimplements the LDAP protocol, and a graphical user interface that allowsend-users to search and change entries in the directory. Other LDAP clients arealso available, including the directory managers in the Netscape Console and theAddress Book feature in Netscape Communicator 4.x. In addition, you canpurchase other LDAP client programs or write your own using the LDAP clientSDK included with the Directory Server product.Without adding other LDAP client programs, Directory Server can provide thefoundation for your intranet or extranet. Every Netscape server uses the directoryas a central repository for shared server information, such as employee, customer,supplier, and partner data.
