3.2 Using a Directory Server for Centralized Management

When an Oracle network uses a directory server, the directory server manages global database links as network service names for the Oracle databases in the network. Users and programs can use a global link to access objects in the corresponding database.

Oracle Net Services uses a centralized directory server as one of the primary methods for storing connect identifiers. Clients use the connect identifiers in their connect string, and the directory server resolves the connect identifier to a connect descriptor that is passed back to the client. This feature is called directory naming. This type of infrastructure reduces the cost of managing and configuring resources in a network.

Oracle Internet Directory provides a centralized mechanism for managing and configuring a distributed Oracle network. The directory server can replace client-side and server-side localized tnsnames.ora files.

The following figure shows a client resolving a connect identifier through a directory server.

1. The client contacts the directory server to resolve a connect identifier to a connect descriptor.

2. The directory server resolves the connect identifier and retrieves the connect descriptor for the client.

3. The client sends the connection request to the listener, using the connect descriptor.

Figure 3-1 Client Using a Directory Server to Resolve a Connect Identifier

Description of "Figure 3-1 Client Using a Directory Server to Resolve a Connect Identifier"

Note:

Java Database Connectivity (JDBC) Drivers support directory naming. See Oracle Database JDBC Developer's Guide for additional information.

This section contains the following topics:

• Understanding the Directory Information Tree
  
• Understanding Oracle Context
  The entries under Oracle Context support various directory-enabled features, including directory naming.
• Understanding Net Service Alias Entries
  
• Who Can Add or Modify Entries in the Directory Server
  
• Client Connections Using Directory Naming
  Most clients needing to perform name lookups in the directory server access the directory server using anonymous authentication.
• Considerations When Using Directory Servers
  
• Limitations of Directory Naming Support with Microsoft Active Directory