This book explores the use of Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) as an efficient protocol. It combines all of the relevant information available on the Internet along with a number of arguments treated in the various books that are available, and provides many examples of LDAP code.

Until now, it has been difficult to find the right source of information on LDAP and directory server implementations: books on the subject are overly product-specific, and a search on the Web results in information overload. The ABCs of LDAP: How to Install, Run, and Administer LDAP Services strikes the right balance, providing a synopsis of LDAP fundamentals without getting wrapped up in one particular implementation.

This book is for network and systems administrators who want to begin using LDAP more extensively. It delivers the theoretical background needed to understand how these servers work, resulting in clear, concise examples of implementations in both commercial and OpenLDAP environments.

The text is structured so that each chapter can stand on its own, with brief descriptions of terms supplemented by references to more detailed explanations in other chapters. You also benefit from a concise overview of how to design a directory, preparing you to execute directory deployments for email, PKI, DNS, NIS servers, and many other productivity-enhancing applications.

Topics include major LDAP APIs, such as PHP, Perl, and Java, as well as distributed command line tools. The book covers ways to integrate LDAP into existing systems, and provides hands-on examples within working implementations.