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iPlanet Directory Server Configuration, Command, and File Reference



Chapter 1   Introduction


This chapter provides a brief overview of the configuration and administration utilities provided to manage the iPlanet Directory Server.

This chapter is divided into the following sections:



Overview of Directory Server Management

iPlanet 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 enterprise-wide directories of users and resources, extranets, and e-commerce applications over the Internet. The Directory Server runs as the ns-slapd process or service on your machine. The server manages the directory databases and responds to client requests.

You can perform most Directory Server administrative tasks through iPlanet Console, the graphical user interface provided with the iPlanet Directory Server. For information on the general use of the iPlanet Console, see Managing Servers with iPlanet Console, and for details of how to use the console to manage the Directory Server in particular, see iPlanet Directory Server Administrator's Guide.

This reference manual deals with the other methods of managing the Directory Server.



Directory Server Configuration



The format and method for storing configuration information for iPlanet Directory Server 5.1 mark a significant change from previous versions of the iPlanet Directory Server. A full explanation of these changes and a listing for all server attributes can be found in Chapter 2 "Core Server Configuration Reference" and Chapter 3 "Plug-in Implemented Server Functionality Reference".



Directory Server Instance File Reference



Having an overview of the files and configuration information stored in each instance of Directory Server is useful, as this helps administrators understand the changes or absence of changes in the course of directory activity. From a security standpoint, such an overview can help customers detect errors and intrusion as they know what kind of changes to expect and what will be considered abnormal behavior. See Chapter 4 "Server Instance File Reference" for further information.


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Last Updated February 26, 2002