LDAP Server Software

When you deploy LDAP in an organization, you will install and run one or more LDAP servers. An LDAP server is a program that implements the LDAP protocol and manages a database that holds the actual directory data. Most LDAP servers also include software that helps you manage the directory. For example, Netscape Directory Server 6.0 consists of

• ns-slapd , the LDAP server itself

• A set of shared libraries (in Unix) or dynamic link libraries (DLLs, in Windows) that the server uses to support its database, multimaster replication, access control processing, internationalization support, encryption, and other features

• Command-line utility software that lets you import data, export data, back up your database, and perform other essential functions

• A console application that allows you to manage the directory through a graphical user interface

• An HTTP-to-LDAP gateway that provides a simple directory lookup and management interface that can be accessed from any Web browser

Directory server software from other vendors is structured in approximately the same way. Microsoft Active Directory, for example, includes the server, command-line utilities, and graphical tools for managing directory content and the operation of the directory. The details of installing, configuring, and managing a particular LDAP server implementation vary widely, however. Chapter 4, Overview of Netscape Directory Server, looks at the feature set, as well as provides examples of how to accomplish some of these tasks with Netscape Directory Server.