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Understanding and Deploying LDAP Directory Services > 6. Data Design > Common Data- Related Problems

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Common Data-Related Problems

Although we live in the information age, it is rare to have the right information available to us at the right time. As individuals we typically are affected by one or more of the following problems:

  • Too much information (it is hard to find exactly what we are looking for)

  • Not enough information (the information we need is not available)

  • Poor quality or just plain wrong information (we may be misled)

  • Out-of-date information (we may be acting on yesterday 's news)

Applications that use your directory service will also suffer from these same problems unless you give careful consideration to which data elements you include in your directory service, where to obtain the data, and how to manage it. For example, applications that rely on the directory as a source of contact information such as phone numbers or email addresses will succeed in their users' eyes only if the information is accurate and up-to-date. The key to understanding and avoiding these data-related problems is to develop a good understanding of how both end users and applications use your directory service.

Another potential problem is especially common within large organizations: data redundancy without coordination. Data redundancy refers to multiple copies of data elements and values kept in more than one data source. Problems arise when two or more systems store the same data element but do not coordinate changes to the element.

For example, if your home postal address is stored both in a centralized human resources database and in a database maintained by the corporate travel office, you may need to contact both offices when you change your address. It is not uncommon in large organizations for such personal information to be stored in several uncoordinated data sources. Often, these different sources are difficult and expensive to manage because they all use different computer systems and software packages to manage the same kind of information.

Don't be surprised to find data redundancy problems that do not involve people-related data. For example, within an organization's Information Services division the Networking group and Help Desk group may maintain separate data sources that include information about the computers and other devices connected to the network. The best solution to this problem is to eliminate redundant data sources and synchronize the remaining ones. This challenging task requires good communication and cooperation among all the data owners . This topic is discussed in greater detail later in this chapter in the section "Maintaining Good Relationships with Other Data Sources," and in Chapter 22, "Directory Coexistence."



Understanding and Deploying LDAP Directory Services,  2002 New Riders Publishing
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Index terms contained in this section

data
         design
                    common problems 2nd 3rd
design
         data
                    commom problems 2nd 3rd
problems
          data design 2nd 3rd
troubleshooting
          data design 2nd 3rd

2002, O'Reilly & Associates, Inc.



Understanding and Deploying LDAP Directory Services
Understanding and Deploying LDAP Directory Services (2nd Edition)
ISBN: 0672323168
EAN: 2147483647
Year: 1997
Pages: 245

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