Chapter 3. Novell eDirectory Management

This chapter covers the following testing objectives for Novell Course 3000: Upgrading to NetWare 6:

• Describe the Function and Features of eDirectory 8.6.

• Integrate eDirectory 8.6 into an Existing Network.

• Use the eDirectory Import/Export Wizard to Manage LDIF Files.

• Use Index Manager to Improve Directory Performance.

• Configure Replica Filters.

• Maintain eDirectory 8.6.

NetWare 6 introduces eDirectory 8.6, the greatest version to date of Novell's world-class directory service.

eDirectory is the world's leading directory service. It provides a unifying, cross-platform infrastructure for managing, securing, accessing, and developing all major components of your network. eDirectory scales to the largest network environments, including the Internet. Because it is based on the X.500 standard, eDirectory supports LDAP, HTTP, and the Java programming environment.

eDirectory can store and manage millions of objects in a seamless ballet of communications. It also provides the foundation network service for all NetWare servers and network resources. In fact, after network communications, it is the most fundamental network service offered by NetWare 6.

With all of this in mind, I'm sure you would agree that eDirectory management is one of your key responsibilities as a Novell CNE (Certified Novell Engineer). In this chapter, we will explore three important lessons regarding eDirectory management:

• Understanding eDirectory 8.6 First, we'll begin with a brief lesson in the architecture of eDirectory 8.6 and compare it to its predecessor, Novell Directory Services (NDS).

• Maintaining eDirectory 8.6 In the final lesson of this chapter, we will explore a comprehensive eDirectory maintenance plan to help ensure the health of your directory. First, you'll learn how to use the Index Manager capabilities of ConsoleOne to maintain eDirectory indexes and to increase the performance of your network. Then, you'll learn how to reduce synchronization traffic by configuring filtered replicas of specific eDirectory 8.6 partitions. Finally, you'll learn how to optimize eDirectory by configuring eDirectory cache.

As you can see, there's a lot to learn in this chapter and when it's all done, you'll be an accomplished eDirectory engineer. So, let's get started at the beginning Understanding eDirectory 8.6.