Configuration Process Overview

You can use one of several configuration processes to install iPlanet Directory Server 5.1. Each one guides you through the configuration process and ensures that you configure the various components in the correct order.

The following sections outline the configuration processes available.

Selecting an Configuration Process

You can configure iPlanet Directory Server 5.1 software using one of the four different configuration methods provided in the setup program.

• Express configuration

  Use this if you are installing for the purposes of evaluating or testing iPlanet Directory Server 5.1. See Using Express Configuration.

• Typical configuration

  Use this if you are performing a normal install of iPlanet Directory Server 5.1. See Using Typical Configuration.

• Custom configuration

  In iPlanet Directory Server 5.1, the custom configuration process is very similar to the typical configuration process. The main difference is that the custom configuration process will allow you to import an LDIF file to initialize the user directory database that is created by default.

Beyond determining which type of configuration process you will use, the process for configuring iPlanet Directory Server 5.1 is as follows:

1. Plan your directory service. By planning your directory tree in advance, you can design a service that is easy to manage and easy to scale as your organization grows. For guidance on planning your directory service, refer to the iPlanet Directory Server 5.1 Deployment Guide.

2. Configure your iPlanet Directory Server 5.1 as described in this chapter.

3. Create the directory suffixes and databases. You do not have to populate your directory now; however, you should create the basic structure for your tree, including all major roots and branch points. For information about the different methods of creating a directory entry, refer to the iPlanet Directory Server 5.1 Administrator's Guide.

4. Create additional iPlanet Directory Server 5.1 instances and set up replication agreements between your iPlanet Directory Server 5.1 instances to ensure availability of your data.