Lightweight
Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) is a standard framework which
is used by computer systems and networked devices to access common
network information. The mere ability to grant network admittance to
data is not the benchmark that differentiates LDAP
SERVER from
several other data access protocols constructed with a similar
purpose in mind. There are several other commendable features that
make LDAP protocol well-suited for gaining access and perform updates
on distinct types of shared information.
LDAP
& Directory Services
In
the simplest terms, a directory can be defined as a compilation of
information. For instance, in earlier times, a telephone directory
was used widely to search phone numbers.
In
the world of computers, digital directories exist everywhere. A Unix
file keeping all passwords can be viewed as a computer account
directory, while a Domain Name Service (DNS) furnishes details about
network hosts as a directory service.
LDAP
SERVER is
also a directory service since it offers client-server access to
records across computer network. In addition to providing the
capability to explore and read data, it also defines a way through
which information can be added, changed, and removed in a digital
repository.
There
are broadly two types of directory servers that can execute the LDAP
functioning:
-
Stand-alone LDAP server
-
LDAP gateway server
Stand-alone
LDAP server: As
the name suggests, these
servers make exclusive use of LDAP for data access— their
proprietary native information directories are attuned for LDAP
access only.
LDAP
gateway server: LDAP
gateway servers work as interpreting devices between LDAP and other
native network protocols or application program interfaces (APIs).
The mechanism offers direct access to the directory information via
different means.
LDAP
and Authentication
Discussing
access permissions and system security in today's world is
practically unthinkable without LDAP being part of the discussion.
While it may not sound very obvious to a casual user, however, LDAP
has established itself as the de facto means to obtain the personal
information and other credentials required to authenticate the
access.
The
methodology makes it a lot easier to handle and disseminate biometric
data and other information than when done through
conventional means. The data stored in an LDAPServer can
be bifurcated offering far easier management while at the same time
presenting a centralized perspective to the applications and
authentication services at work.
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