Understanding and Deploying LDAP Directory Services

Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) is the standard for directory information access and is the underlying protocol for a variety of email systems, Web systems, and enterprise applications. LDAP enables central management of users, groups, devices, and other data, thereby simplifying directory management and reducing the total cost of ownership. Understanding and Deploying LDAP Directory Services, written by the creators of the protocol, is known as the LDAP bible and is the classic text for learning about LDAP and how to utilize it effectively. The Second Edition builds on this success by acting as an exhaustive resource for designing, deploying, and maintaining LDAP directory services. Topics such as implementation pitfalls, establishing and maintaining user access to information, troubleshooting, and real-world scenarios will be thoroughly explored.

Timothy A. Howes, Ph.D., coinventor of the LDAP protocol, is the cofounder and chief technology officer of Opsware Inc., the leading provider of data center automation software. Previously, Dr. Howes served as vice president of technology for America Online, as chief technology officer of Netscape¿s Server Products division, and as chief architect of several Netscape server products.

Mark C. Smith is the chief architect for directory products at Netscape Communications Corporation, an AOL Time Warner company, where he is responsible for the technical evolution of Netscape Directory Server and several other products and services. Mr. Smith is coauthor of LDAP: Programming Directory-Enabled Applications with Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (Macmillan, 1997) and has written many RFCs and Internet Drafts.

Gordon S. Good is a senior software engineer at Opsware, Inc. Before joining Opsware, he worked at Netscape Communications Corporation, where he led the directory-server-replication development team. Gordon has written several RFCs and Internet Drafts.