Selecting a Server Role

Oracle Unified Directory can function in one of three modes:

• As an LDAP directory server, used to contain data.

• As an LDAP proxy server, where the server acts as an interface between the client and the directory server that contains the data.

• As a replication gateway between Oracle Unified Directory and Oracle Directory Server Enterprise Edition.

The following sections describe which Oracle Unified Directory installation mode you should use, based on your requirements.

As a general rule, the use of the generic term server applies to the directory server, the proxy server, and the replication gateway.

About the Directory Server

Install the Oracle Unified Directory directory server if you want to create an LDAP directory server that contains directory data. For more information, see Chapter 3, Setting Up the Directory Server.

About the Proxy Server

When you install Oracle Unified Directory as an LDAP proxy server, the server acts as an interface between the client and the remote LDAP server containing the data. The proxy server manages the client requests through load balancing and/or data distribution. The proxy does not contain any data. To install the Oracle Unified Directory in proxy mode, see the procedure in Chapter 4, Setting Up the Proxy Server.

When you use the Oracle Unified Directory proxy, your data is stored in one or more remote LDAP servers or data centers, which can be any LDAPv3–compliant directory server, such as the Oracle Unified Directory directory server or Oracle Directory Server Enterprise Edition.

About the Replication Gateway

When you install Oracle Unified Directory as a replication gateway, the server acts as a gateway that allows you to replicate between Oracle Directory Server Enterprise Edition and Oracle Unified Directory. For more information, see Chapter 5, Setting Up the Replication Gateway.