1 Introduction to directory services

This document provides information on deploying the HP-UX Directory Server

HP-UX Directory Server provides a centralized directory service for intranet, network, and extranet information. Directory Server integrates with existing systems and acts as a centralized repository for the consolidation of employee, customer, supplier, and partner information. Directory Server can even be extended to manage user profiles, preferences, and authentication.

This chapter describes the basic ideas and concepts for understanding what a directory service does to help begin designing the directory service.

1.1 About directory services

The term directory service refers to the collection of software, hardware, and processes that store information about an enterprise, subscribers, or both, and make that information available to users. A directory service consists of at least one instance of Directory Server and at least one directory client program. Client programs can access names, phone numbers, addresses, and other data stored in the directory service.

An example of a directory service is a domain name system (DNS) server. A DNS server maps computer host names to IP addresses. Thus, all the computing resources (hosts) become clients of the DNS server. Mapping host names allows users of computing resources to easily locate computers on a network by remembering host names rather than IP addresses. A limitation of a DNS server is that it stores only two types of information: names and IP addresses. A true directory service stores virtually unlimited types of information.

Directory Server stores all user and network information in a single, network-accessible repository. Many kinds of different information can be stored in the Directory Server:

Physical device information, such as data about the printers in an organization, such as location, color or black and white, manufacturer, date of purchase, and serial number.

Public employee information, such as name, email address, and department.

Private employee information, such as salary, government identification numbers, home addresses, phone numbers, and pay grade.

Contract or account information, such as the name of a client, final delivery date, bidding information, contract numbers, and project dates.

Directory Server serves the needs of a wide variety of applications. It also provides a standard protocol and application programming interfaces (APIs) to access the information it contains.

1.1.1 About global directory services

Directory Server provides global directory services, which means that it provides information to a wide variety of applications. Rather than attempting to unify proprietary databases bundled with different applications, which is an administrative burden, Directory Server is a single solution to manage the same information.

For example, a company is running three different proprietary email systems, each with its own proprietary directory service. If users change their passwords in one directory, the changes are not automatically replicated in the others. Managing multiple instances of the same information results in increased hardware and personnel costs; the increased maintenance overhead is referred to as the n+1 directory problem.

A global directory service solves the n+1 directory problem by providing a single, centralized repository of directory information that any application can access. However, giving a wide variety of applications access to the directory service requires a network-based means of communicating between the applications and the directory service. Directory Server uses LDAP for applications to access to its global directory service.

1.1 About directory services

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HP UX Direry Server manual Introduction to directory services, About directory services, About global directory services

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.