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However, it can confuse users, leading them to mix it with Active Directory.
In this article, well look at LDAP, its purpose, and how it works.
Then, well review its key features, directory structure, and data organization capabilities.
Lastly, well cover LDAPs importance in managing directory service anduser authentication.
What is LDAP?
LDAP stands for Lightweight Directory Access Protocol.
It is an open protocol that governs secure user authentication for on-premise directories.
LDAP is efficient in enabling applications to query user information.
Basically, directory services enable organizations to store data that is descriptive, static, and valuable.
Technically, LDAP is attributed to the complete process of data representation within a directory service.
It ensures that users can get data in a pre-defined manner.
This means LDAP enables organizations to create data entries within directory services through its tools.
In short, LDAP is a:
What is its purpose?
Using LDAP, organizations can store critical user and IT asset information, including user credentials.
Moreover, it can ensure secure access by enabling administrators to set access rules actively.
How LDAP works?
At the core of LDAP, client-server architecture is at play.
So, when LDAP authentication takes place, it follows a client-server model.
If the search is successful, the matching UID and user Password are matched to validate the user.
If not, it returns invalid results.
Finally, the client unbinds from the LDAP server.
With it done, the authenticated user can then communicate with the services through the APIs.
This means he can go through all the stored information the only limitation is granted permissions.
And, if you want to read more about how LDAP search operations, check outThe LDAP Search Operation.
This enables easy access to data and adds to the searchability of the LDAP directory content.
As LDAP follows a tree-like structure, it is hierarchical.
And thats why it is mainly preferred as Directory Information Tree (DIT).
The root directory is a top-level entry that includes all other entries in the directory level.
Under it, you getCountry (countries)which then branches out toOrganization (s).
Next, it branches out to Organizational Units (OU) and, finally, Individuals and Groups.
To understand the LDAP directory structure, lets take a look at an example below.
The Root entity is identified withDC, which stands forDomain Componentattribute.
So, if dc=com, the root entry is identified as the com domain.
Under root, you’ve got the option to have multiple organizations or domains.
It is represented by dc=organization.
under the com domain.
Similarly, each organization can have one ormultiple Organizational Units (OU).
The administrator can organize them logically into subdivisions.
For example, you could set OU to users, groups or superusers.
Thats because it contains a unique name and is used to retrieve the Relative Distinguished Name (RDN).
The basic LDAP data components include:
Attributes in LDAP are key-value pairs.
These store data within the LDAP system.
For example, theattribute mailmust be used to storemailwithin the LDAP system.
mail: nitish@geekflare.com
The entries within the LDAP system associate themselves with attributing to provide meaning.
it’s possible for you to think of entries as a collection of related attributes.
As most data is branched, it makes sense to represent them through trees.
It is analogous to a file system with a parent-children association.
Here, LDAP utilizes the DIT to organize and structure the data.
However, how does it achieve it?
Lets discuss it below.
To place entries in a DIT that are related to each other hierarchically.
It all starts at the top of the hierarchy tree in the DIT.
As it covers all the child entries, it is mainly labeled as an organization such asdc=comor example.
This is done using domain components to ensure easy management.
This way, the administrator can set the location usingl=location_nameor organizational segments, such asou=tech, marketing,etc.
The entries use Organization Unit (OU) objectClass.
And thischain of RDN valuesis known as Distinguished Name or DN.
So,RDN acts as a relative value, whereasDN is more of an absolute path.
Active Directory
It is common for people to confuse LDAP and Active Directory.
LDAP acts as a communication protocol to pull up the directory servers such as Active Directory.
Conclusion
LDAP is a key protocol for working with active directory services.
It is a lightweight protocol that doesnt create any overhead on the services and servers it works with.
Moreover, its open-source, vendor-neutral, and standardized nature means it can easily be integrated into existing solutions.
You may also exploreMulti-Factor Authentication(MFA).
