Figure 4-5 Directory tree for example isp

Beneath the root suffix entry o=example, c=US, the tree is split into three branches. The ISP branch contains customer data and internal information for Example ISP. The Internet branch is the domain tree. The groups branch contains information about the administrative groups.

Consider the following when choosing attributes for the branch points:Be consistent.

Some LDAP client applications may be confused if the distinguished name (DN) format is inconsistent across the directory tree. That is, if l is subordinate to ou in one part of the directory tree, then make sure l is subordinate to ou in all other parts of the directory service.

Try to use only the traditional attributes (shown in “Identifying branch points”).

Using traditional attributes increases the likelihood of retaining compatibility with third-party LDAP client applications. Using the traditional attributes also means that they are known to the default directory schema, which makes it easier to build entries for the branch DN.

Table 4-1 Traditional DN branch point attributes

Attribute name

Definition

dc

An element of the domain name, such as dc=example; this is refrequently specified

 

in pairs, or even longer, depending on the domain, such as dc=example,dc=com or

 

dc=mtv,dc=example,dc=com.

 

 

c

A country name.

 

 

o

An organization name. This attribute is typically used to represent a large divisional

 

branching such as a corporate division, academic discipline (the humanities, the

 

sciences), subsidiary, or other major branching within the enterprise, as in “Suffix

 

naming conventions”.

 

 

ou

An organizational unit. This attribute is typically used to represent a smaller divisional

 

branching of the enterprise than an organization. Organizational units are generally

 

subordinate to the preceding organization.

 

 

st

A state or province name.

 

 

l or locality

A locality, such as a city, country, office, or facility name.

 

 

dc

A domain component, as in “Suffix naming conventions”.

 

 

4.2 Designing the directory tree

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