The Directory Server linkage facility is a program that provides a service (called the directory service) for using the Internet or an intranet to achieve centralized information management in a distributed system environment in order to minimize management's workload. This is made possible by using an open protocol called the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP).

You can manage on a centralized basis in the Directory Server the organizational and user information (user IDs, passwords, the organizational units to which users belong, and user job titles) that is otherwise managed separately in HiRDB, Groupmax, and other systems. The Directory Server also allows you to retrieve and update user information from multiple nodes in the network. Figure 2-4 provides an overview of the Directory Server linkage facility.

Figure 2-4 Overview of the Directory Server linkage facility

^* The Directory Server authenticates each user who attempts to access HiRDB, provided that the requisite user information (user IDs and passwords) has been registered in the Directory Server.

For details about setting the environment for and using the Directory Server linkage facility, see the HiRDB Version 8 System Operation Guide.