Working with Open Directory

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In this chapter you will find commands used to configure and manage the Open Directory service.

Open Directory is the standards-based directory and network authentication services architecture used by Mac OS X and Mac OS X Server. In Mac OS X Server, Open Directory relies on open source technologies such as OpenLDAP and Kerberos to provide directory and authentication services, but Open Directory does much more. It supports conventional authentication methods in addition to Kerberos. Open Directory also integrates with other directory services including Microsoft Active Directory, Novell eDirectory, and other standards-based LDAP directory services. This chapter discusses the tools and commands used when working with Open Directory.

Understanding Open Directory

Mac OS X Server relies on the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) to provide access to directory service data. LDAP is provided on Mac OS X Server by OpenLDAP, a best-of-breed open source LDAP service. Apple has made very few changes to the stock distribution of OpenLDAP. For most functions, you should be able to treat LDAP on Mac OS X Server as a standard OpenLDAP distribution.

In addition to Open Directory, a wide variety of third-party directory services use LDAP for identification. This allows Mac OS X to interoperate easily with these systems.

This chapter includes descriptions of tools for working with LDAP, NetInfo, and the Open Directory Password Server.

Using General Directory Tools

This section describes how to test Open Directory configurations, modify Open Directory directory domains, and test Open Directory plug-ins.

Testing Your Open Directory Configuration

You can use the dscl tool to test your directory services configuration. See the dscl man page for more information.

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Apple Mac OS X Server manual Understanding Open Directory, Using General Directory Tools