Defines an component of the domain name.

information and the directory schema). For more information on these standard directory suffixes, see the HP-UX Directory Server administrator guide.

4.2.1.1 Suffix naming conventions

All entries in the directory should be located below a common base entry, the root suffix. When choosing a name for the root directory suffix, consider the following:

•Globally unique.

•Static, so it rarely, if ever, changes.

•Short, so that entries beneath it are easier to read on screen.

•Easy for a person to type and remember.

In a single enterprise environment, choose a directory suffix that aligns with a DNS name or Internet domain name of the enterprise. For example, if the enterprise owns the domain name of example.com, then the directory suffix is logically dc=example, dc=com.

The dc attribute represents the suffix by breaking the domain name into its component parts.

Normally, any attribute can be used to name the root suffix. However, for a hosting organization, HP recommends that the root suffix contain only the following attributes:

dc

cContains the two-digit code representing the country name, as defined by ISO.

lIdentifies the county, city, or other geographical area where the entry is located or that is associated with the entry.

st Identifies the state or province where the entry resides.

oIdentifies the name of the organization to which the entry belongs.

The presence of these attributes allows for interoperability with subscriber applications. For example, a hosting organization might use these attributes to create a root suffix for one of its clients, example_a, such as o=example_a, st=Washington,c=US.

Using an organization name followed by a country designation is typical of the X.500 naming convention for suffixes.

4.2.1.2 Naming multiple suffixes

Each suffix used with the directory is a unique directory tree. There are several ways to include multiple trees in the directory service. The first is to create multiple directory trees stored in separate databases served by Directory Server.

For example, create separate suffixes for example_a and example_b and store them in separate databases.

Figure 4-1 Including multiple directory trees in a database

40 Designing the directory tree