LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) is an open standard protocol used for accessing and managing directory services. Directory services are databases that store information about network resources, such as users, groups, devices, and applications. LDAP provides a way for applications to access and manipulate directory information stored in a centralized directory service.
LDAP works by defining a set of operations that can be used to search, retrieve, modify, and delete directory information. LDAP clients, such as applications or services, communicate with LDAP servers, which store and manage the directory information. LDAP uses a hierarchical structure to organize directory information, with entries organized in a tree-like structure called the Directory Information Tree (DIT).
LDAP provides several benefits for managing directory information, including:
- Centralized management: Directory information can be stored and managed in a centralized location, which makes it easier to manage and maintain.
- Scalability: LDAP is designed to be scalable and can handle large directory services with many entries.
- Security: LDAP provides security features such as authentication, encryption, and access control, which help protect directory information from unauthorized access.
LDAP is commonly used for managing user authentication and authorization in enterprise environments, as well as for managing other directory information such as email addresses, phone numbers, and organizational structures. It is supported by many directory services products, including Microsoft Active Directory, OpenLDAP, and Novell eDirectory.
