attribute usage

An attribute type's attribute usage defines the contexts in which it may be used. There are four types of attribute usage:

userApplications

This should be used for all attribute types that are intended for use in holding user-defined data.

directoryOperation

This should be used for attribute types that are used for behind-the-scenes processing within the server.

distributedOperation

This should be used for attribute types that store operational data that need to be distributed (that is, replicated) throughout the directory environment.

dSAOperation

This should be used for attribute types that store operational data that should be stored only in one server and should not be replicated throughout the directory environment.

Attributes with a usage of userApplications are known as user attributes. Attributes with a usage of directoryOperation, distributedOperation, or dSAOperation are known as operational attributes.