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Configuration, Command, and File Reference Netscape Directory Server |
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Netscape Directory Server (Directory Server) is a powerful and scalable distributed directory server based on the industry-standard Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP). Directory Server is the cornerstone for building a centralized and distributed data repository that can be used in your intranet, over your extranet with your trading partners, or over the public Internet to reach your customers.
This Configuration, Command, and File Reference documents server configuration and command-line utilities provided with Directory Server.
This preface contains the following sections:
- Directory Server Overview
- Prerequisite Reading
- What Is In This Reference Guide?
- Conventions Used In This Reference Guide
- Related Information
The major components of Directory Server include:
- An LDAP server—The core of the directory service, provided by the
ns-slapddaemon, and compliant with the LDAP v3 Internet standards.- Directory Server Console—An improved management console that dramatically reduces the effort of setting up and maintaining your directory service. Directory Server Console is part of Netscape Console, the common management framework for Netscape servers.
- SNMP Agent—Permits you to monitor Directory Server in real time using the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMP).
- Online backup and restore—Allows you to create backups and restore from backups while the server is running.
This reference guide does not describe many of the basic directory and architectural concepts that you need to successfully design, implement, and administer your directory service. Those concepts are described in the Netscape Directory Server Administrator's Guide. You should read that book before continuing with this reference guide.
When you are familiar with Directory Server concepts and have done some preliminary planning for your directory service, you can install the Directory Server. The instructions for installing the various Directory Server components are contained in the Netscape Directory Server Installation Guide.
Managing Servers with Netscape Console contains general background information on how to use Netscape servers. You should read and understand the concepts in this book before you attempt to administer the Directory Server.
What Is In This Reference Guide?
This book is a reference guide for the server configuration and the command-line utilities. It is designed primarily for directory administrators and experienced directory users who want to use the command line to access the directory. After configuring your server, use this reference guide to help you maintain it.
You can also manage the Directory Server using the Directory Server Console, a graphical user interface. The Netscape Directory Server Administrator's Guide describes how to do this and explains individual administration tasks more fully.
Conventions Used In This Reference Guide
This section explains the conventions used in this book.
Monospaced font—This typeface is used for any text that appears on the computer screen or text that you should type. It is also used for filenames, functions, and examples.
Notes and Warnings mark important information. Make sure you read the information before continuing with a task.
Throughout this book you will see path references of the form:
- serverRoot is the installation directory. For Directory Server 5.x and 6.x,
/usr/netscape/serversis the default installation directory on UNIX. On Windows, it isc:\usr\netscape\servers. If you have installed Directory Server in a different location, you should adapt the path accordingly.
- serverID is the ID or identifier you assigned to an instance of Directory Server when you installed it. For example, if you gave the server an identifier of
phonebook, then the actual path would look like this:/usr/netscape/servers/slapd-phonebook/. . .
All paths specified in this manual are in UNIX format. If you are using a Windows-based Directory Server, you should assume the equivalent file paths whenever UNIX file paths are shown in this book.
In examples/sample code, paths assume that the Directory Server is installed in the default location
/usr/netscape/servers. If you have installed your Directory Server in a different location, adapt the paths accordingly. Also, all examples usephonebookfor the server identifier where appropriate.
The document set for Directory Server also contains the following guides:
- Netscape Directory Server Installation Guide. Procedures for installing Directory Server as well as procedures for migrating your Directory Server.
- Netscape Directory Server Deployment Guide. Provides an overview for planning your deployment of the Directory Server. Includes deployment examples.
- Netscape Directory Server Administrator's Guide. Procedures for the day-to-day maintenance of your directory service. Includes information on configuring server-side plug-ins.
- Netscape Directory Server Schema Reference. Provides information about the Netscape Directory Server schema.
- Netscape Directory Server Plug-In Programmer's Guide. Describes how to write server plug-ins in order to customize and extend the capabilities of Directory Server.
For a list of documentation installed with Directory Server, open the serverRoot/manual/en/slapd/index.htm file.
For the latest information about Directory Server, including current release notes, complete product documentation, technical notes, and deployment information, check this site:
http://enterprise.netscape.com/docs
© 2001 Sun Microsystems, Inc. Portions copyright 1999, 2002-2003 Netscape Communications Corporation. All rights reserved.
Read the Full Copyright and Thrid-Party Acknowledgments.
Last Updated October 30, 2003