Sizing and Tuning Recommendations, Systems

•Tune the cache size big enough to fully utilize the cache. Two caches are available: database cache and entry cache. The database cache caches raw pages of the database files. The entry cache caches each entry that has been accessed in memory. For more information, see the “Tuning recommendations” section.

•Turn the access log off if you do not need it. Access log contains information for all the operations. By default, the access log is turned on.

•Tune the number of operation threads down for directory servers who mainly serve search requests. Although using fewer threads may give you better search performance, it may also become the bottleneck when the directory server also serves some time-consuming operations such as add or modify. For more information, see the “Tuning recommendations” section.

•Use indexes to speed up searches. However, HPDS provides the nsslapd- idlistscanlimit attribute to limit the number of IDs that are scanned per index key during a search operation. When the size of an individual ID list reaches this limit, the server will behave as if no index was available for that type of search. For more information about nsslapd-idlistscanlimit,see HP-UX Directory Server configuration, command, and file reference available at the following location: www.hp.com/go/hpux-security-docs (select HP-UX Directory Server)

•Disable unneeded plug-ins such as referential integrity, UID uniqueness, or schema checking, and so forth.

Other factors can also affect performance, such as whether SSL, replication, or referral is configured. Complex or many ACIs (directory server access control instructions) also affect performance. SSL performance data is also covered in the “Data collection 6: (SSL connection enabled compared to SSL connection disabled)” section.

Sizing and Tuning Recommendations

Sizing guidelines

Systems

HP-UX Directory Server can be hosted on any HP Integrity server that includes any member of the Intel® Itanium processor family that supports HP-UX 11i v3.

For producing this report, a Montvale-based HP Integrity Server is used. Both server and client systems are BL860c server blades with 8 GB of RAM, 2 dual core CPUs (Montvale 1.66GHz), and 60 GB hard drives. They are housed in an HP BladeSystem c7000 enclosure. The server and client systems are connected using a dedicated HP Procurve 2724 gigabit switch. The exact search throughput with this configuration (2 dual-core CPUs @ 1.66GHz, 8GB memory, and one 60 GB disk) can reach 6241.56 operations per second without tuning any directory server parameters.

All the data generated in the tests described in this paper is based on this specific hardware configuration.

CPUs

The HP-UX Directory Server will use multiple processors. When the number of processors increases, the performance improves, as shown in Table 1 in the “Data collection 1: (Different number of CPUs)” section. Under the performance test environment, changing the test machine configuration from 2 processor cores (1 CPU) to 4 processor cores (2 CPUs) can increase the performance throughput significantly. When configured correctly, the HP-UX Directory Server generally reaches the CPU limit before it reaches other constraints such as disk or networking I/O.

UX Direry Server specifications

HP UX Directory Server is a robust and scalable solution designed for managing directory information within enterprise networks. Developed by Hewlett-Packard (HP), this server offers an extensive set of features tailored to meet the needs of organizations that require an efficient way to store, manage, and retrieve identity and access data.

One of the key features of HP UX Directory Server is its ability to handle large directories with significant volumes of data. Built on a highly optimized architecture, it provides excellent performance and can support millions of entries without sacrificing speed or reliability. This capability makes it an ideal choice for large-scale deployments in enterprises that require high availability and responsiveness.

In addition to its scalability, HP UX Directory Server supports a wide range of protocols, including LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol), which ensures seamless integration with diverse applications and systems across various platforms. The server maintains standards compliance, which facilitates interoperability and simplifies administration tasks.

Security is a top priority for HP UX Directory Server, offering an array of features to protect sensitive information. It supports secure data transmission via TLS/SSL protocols, ensuring encrypted communication between clients and servers. Advanced access controls allow administrators to define fine-grained permissions, helping to safeguard directory data against unauthorized access.

Another salient feature of HP UX Directory Server is its replication capabilities. The server can replicate directory data across multiple instances, ensuring data consistency and availability in distributed environments. This feature is essential for businesses operating across different geographical locations or requiring failover solutions for disaster recovery.

HP UX Directory Server also comes equipped with tools for data management, including an intuitive administration console for configuring and monitoring the server. Additionally, it offers customizable schema capabilities, enabling organizations to tailor the directory structure to fit their specific needs.

Integration with existing identity management solutions is streamlined through connectors and APIs, allowing organizations to extend their directory services and enhance user experience.

In summary, HP UX Directory Server is a powerful directory management solution that combines scalability, security, and integration flexibility. Its support for industry standards, advanced replication, and comprehensive administrative tools makes it an essential asset for organizations seeking to manage identity and access efficiently. By leveraging this technology, businesses can improve their operational efficiency and ensure a secure and organized approach to directory management.