Chapter 1. Introduction

Directory Server is based on an open-systems server protocol called the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP). The Directory Server is a robust, scalable server designed to manage large scale directories to support an enterprise-wide directory of users and resources, extranets, and e-commerce applications over the Internet. The Directory Server runs as the ns-slapd process or service on the machine. The server manages the directory databases and responds to client requests.

Most Directory Server administrative tasks can be performed through the Directory Server Console, the graphical user interface provided with the Directory Server. For information on the use of the Directory Server Console, see the Red Hat Directory Server Administration Guide.

This reference deals with the other methods of managing the Directory Server by altering the server configuration attributes using the command line and using command-line utilities and scripts.

1.1. Directory Server Configuration

The format and method for storing configuration information for Directory Server and a listing for all server attributes are found in two chapters, Chapter 3, Core Server Configuration Reference and Chapter 4, Plug-in Implemented Server Functionality Reference.

1.2. Directory Server Instance File Reference

Section 2.1, “Directory Server Instance-independent Files and Directories” has an overview of the files and configuration information stored in each instance of Directory Server. This is useful reference to helps administrators understand the changes or absence of changes in the course of directory activity. From a security standpoint, this also helps users detect errors and intrusion by highlighting normal changes and abnormal behavior.

1.3. Using Directory Server Command-Line Utilities

Directory Server comes with a set of configurable command-line utilities that can search and modify entries in the directory and administer the server. Chapter 9, Command-Line Utilities describes these command-line utilities and contains information on where the utilities are stored and how to access them.