Lesson3.Accessing Mac OS X Server Directory Services


Lesson 3. Accessing Mac OS X Server Directory Services

Time

This lesson takes approximately 2 hours to complete.

Goals

Understand how data is structured and how entries are distinguished in an LDAP database

Use command-line and GUI tools to search for a specific entries in a given LDAP database

Use Directory Access to add a Mac OS X server providing directory services for user authentication

Troubleshoot problems with Open Directory records retrieved from an LDAP database

Interpret entries in a network user account to determine why a user is unable to log in correctly


Data is valuable only if it can be stored and accessed. With multiple vendors of directory services solutions competing for your business, you may worry that their disparate systems will not be able to interoperate and that it will be difficult for clients to support multiple vendors. Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) addresses these concerns by providing a protocol that all vendors can support while still being able to differentiate themselves on the basis of additional features, over and above what a simple data access protocol dictates.

This lesson introduces you to the LDAP specification and explains Mac OS X support for this nearly universal protocol. In Lesson 2, "Accessing Local Directory Services," you saw how Open Directory provides a means of retrieving information from a local data store to identify and authenticate user accounts on the local computer. Now you'll learn how to request and retrieve identification information stored in an LDAP directory on the network, in particular, the LDAP directory on Mac OS X Server.

By accessing the directory in Mac OS X Server on your network, you can take advantage of features such as automounting share points, preferences management, and mobile user accounts.




Apple Training Series. Mac OS X System Administration Reference, Volume 1
Apple Training Series: Mac OS X System Administration Reference, Volume 1
ISBN: 032136984X
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 2005
Pages: 258
Authors: Schoun Regan

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