•Determine data ownership.

For each piece of data, determine the person responsible for ensuring that the data is up-to-date.

•Determine data access.

If data are imported from other sources, develop a strategy for both bulk imports and incremental updates. As a part of this strategy, try to master data in a single place, and limit the number of applications that can change the data. Also, limit the number of people who write to any given piece of data. A smaller group ensures data integrity while reducing the administrative overhead.

•Document the site survey.

Because of the number of organizations that can be affected by the directory, it may be helpful to create a directory deployment team that includes representatives from each affected organization to perform the site survey.

Corporations generally have a human resources department, an accounting or accounts receivable department, manufacturing organizations, sales organizations, and development organizations. Including representatives from each of these organizations can help the survey process.

Furthermore, directly involving all the affected organizations can help build acceptance for the migration from local data stores to a centralized directory.

2.3.1 Identifying the applications that use the directory

Generally, the applications that access the directory and the data needs of these applications drive the planning of the directory contents. Many common applications use the directory:

•Directory browser applications, such as online telephone books

Decide what information (such as email addresses, telephone numbers, and employee name) users need, and include it in the directory.

•Email applications, especially email servers

All email servers require email addresses, user names, and some routing information to be available in the directory. Others, however, require more advanced information such as the place on disk where a user's mailbox is stored, vacation notification information, and protocol information (IMAP versus POP, for example).

•Directory-enabled human resources applications

These require more personal information such as government identification numbers, home addresses, home telephone numbers, birth dates, salary, and job title.

•Microsoft Active Directory

Through Windows User Sync, Windows directory services can be integrated to function in tandem with the Directory Server. Both directories can store user information (user names and passwords, email addresses, telephone numbers) and group information (members).

Style the Directory Server deployment after the existing Windows server deployment (or vice versa) so that the users, groups, and other directory data can be smoothly synchronized.

When examining the applications that will use the directory, look at the types of information each application uses. The following table gives an example of applications and the information used by each:

2.3 Performing a site survey

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HP UX Direry Server manual Identifying the applications that use the directory
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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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