Chapter 4. Overview of Netscape Directory Server

• Basic Installation

• A Brief Hands-on Tour of Netscape Directory Server

• Product Focus and Feature Set

• Extending the Netscape Server: A Simple Plug-in Example

• Further Reading

• Looking Ahead

A quick way to learn how to drive a car is to get behind the wheel, turn the key, and ease away from the curb out into traffic. Preferably, someone who is an experienced driver is seated in the passenger seat to coach you and help you master the rules of the road. Similarly, a good way to learn about directory software is to break open the shrink-wrap on a product, install it, and start turning the knobs and buttons to see what it can do.

This chapter provides a hands-on walk-through of one of the leading LDAP products, Netscape Directory Server. You will play the part of the beginning driver, and this chapter will act as the experienced coach sitting next to you. Our tour of version 6 of the Netscape server has four phases:

1. A walk through the basic installation instructions

2. A brief hands-on tour

3. A discussion of the focus and feature set

4. A demonstration of how to extend the server

Now it's time to get behind the wheel, turn the key, and hit the directory services road.