9 Directory design examples

The design the directory service depends on the size and nature of the enterprise. This chapter provides a couple of examples of how a directory can be applied within a variety of different settings. These examples are a starting point for developing a real-life directory service deployment plan.

9.1 Design example: A local enterprise

Example Corp., an automobile parts manufacturer, is a small company that consists of 500 employees. Example Corp. decides to deploy HP-UX Directory Server to support the directory-enabled applications it uses.

9.1.1 Local enterprise data design

Example Corp. first decides the type of data it will store in the directory. To do this, Example Corp. creates a deployment team that performs a site survey to determine how the directory will be used. The deployment team determines the following:

•Example Corp.'s directory will be used by a messaging server, a web server, a calendar server, a human resources application, and a white pages application.

•The messaging server performs exact searches on attributes such as uid, mailServerName, and mailAddress. To improve database performance, Example Corp. will maintain indexes for these attributes to support searches by the messaging server.

For more information on using indexes, see “Using indexes to improve database performance”.

•The white pages application frequently searches for user names and phone numbers. The directory therefore needs to be capable of frequent substring, wildcard, and fuzzy searches, which return large sets of results. Example Corp. decides to maintain presence, equality, approximate, and substring indexes for the cn, sn, and givenName attributes and presence, equality, and substring indexes for the telephoneNumber attribute.

•Example Corp.'s directory maintains user and group information to support an LDAP server-based intranet deployed throughout the organization. Most of Example Corp.'s user and group information will be centrally managed by a group of directory administrators. However, Example Corp. also wants email information to be managed by a separate group of mail administrators.

•Example Corp. plans to support public key infrastructure (PKI) applications in the future, such as S/MIME email, so it needs to be prepared to store users' public key certificates in the directory.

9.1.2Local enterprise schema design

Example Corp.'s deployment team decides to use the inetOrgPerson object class to represent the entries in the directory. This object class is appealing because it allows the userCertificate and uid (userID) attributes, both of which are needed by the applications supported by Example Corp.'s directory.

Example Corp. also wants to customize the default directory schema. Example Corp. creates the examplePerson object class to represent employees of Example Corp. It derives this object class from the inetOrgPerson object class.

The examplePerson object class allows one attribute, the exampleID attribute. This attribute contains the special employee number assigned to each Example Corp. employee.

In the future, Example Corp. can add new attributes to the examplePerson object class as needed.

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HP UX Direry Server manual Directory design examples, Design example a local enterprise, Local enterprise data design
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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.
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