1.1.2 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) described by the ISO X.500 standard. DAP gives any application access to the directory through an extensible and robust information framework but at a high administrative cost. DAP uses a communications layer that is not the Internet standard protocol and has complex 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 simplified encoding methods. It retains the data model and can support millions of entries for a modest investment in hardware and network infrastructure.

1.2 Introduction to Directory Server

HP-UX Directory Server includes the directory itself, the server-side software that implements the LDAP protocol, and a client-side graphical user interface that allows end-users to search and change entries in the directory.

Without adding other LDAP client programs, Directory Server can provide the foundation for an intranet or extranet. Every Directory Server and compatible server applications use the directory as a central repository for shared server information, such as employee, customer, supplier, and partner data.

Directory Server can manage user authentication, create access control, set up user preferences, and centralize user management. In hosted environments, partners, customers, and suppliers can manage their own portions of the directory, reducing administrative costs.

When Directory Server is installed and set up, the following components are installed:

•The core Directory Server LDAP server, the LDAP v3-compliant network daemon (ns-slapd) and all the associated plug-ins, command-line tools for managing the server and its databases, and its configuration and schema files. For more information about the command-line tools, see the HP-UX Directory Server configuration, command, and file reference.

•Administration Server, a web server which controls the different portals that access the LDAP server. For more information about the Administration Server, see Using the Admin Server.

•Directory Server Console, a graphical management console that dramatically reduces the effort of setting up and maintaining the directory service. For more information about the Directory Server Console, see HP-UX Directory Server console guide.

•Web applications such as Admin Express that allow users to search for information in the Directory Server, in addition to providing access to their own information, including password changes, to reduce user support costs.

•SNMP agent to monitor the Directory Server using the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP). For more information about SNMP monitoring, see the HP-UX Directory Server administrator guide.

1.2.1Overview of the server frontend

Directory Server is a multithreaded application. This means that multiple clients can bind to the server at the same time over the same network. As directory services grow to include larger numbers of entries or geographically-dispersed clients, they also include multiple Directory Servers placed in strategic places around the network.

The server frontend of Directory Server manages communications with directory client programs. Multiple client programs can communicate with the server using both LDAP over TCP/IP (Internet traffic protocols) and LDAP over Unix sockets (LDAPI). The Directory Server can establish a secure (encrypted) connection with SSL/TLS, depending on whether the client negotiates the use of Transport Layer Security (TLS) for the connection.

10 Introduction to directory services