Basic concepts of LDAP protocol

In some network structures, we usually use some special methods for architecture. Today, we will mainly learn about the process of LDAP Open configuration. So let's take a look at the use environment and initial conditions. A directory is generally used to contain descriptive and attribute-based information. For example, the address book can be saved as a directory. The directory service is a special database system that is specially optimized for reading, browsing, and searching data. A Directory Server is a program that provides directory services. Usually, the LDAP protocol is used to provide directory services. LDAPLightweight Directory Access Protocol (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) is a network Protocol that provides Directory services.

Understand LDAP protocol

Before installing and configuring OpenLDAP, this section briefly introduces the LDAP protocol so that you can understand the structure of LDAP.

LDAP protocol

A directory is a group of information that has similar attributes and is combined with a certain logic and hierarchy. A common example is the address book, which consists of names, addresses, and phone numbers in alphabetical order.

Directory Service is a method for discovering targets in a distributed environment. The directory has two main components:

The first part is the database. The database is distributed and has a plan to describe the data.

The second part is various protocols for accessing and processing data.

Directory Service is actually a database system, but such a database is a tree structure, rather than a commonly used relational database. The main difference between the Directory Service and relational database service is that both allow access to the stored data, but the directory is mainly used for reading, and the query efficiency is very high, relational databases are designed for reading and writing.

Tip: The Directory Service is not suitable for frequent updates and is a typical distributed structure.

LDAP is a directory service protocol. There are many versions of LDAP currently, and the most common versions are V2 and V3. They were first released in 1995 and 1997, respectively.

Features of LDAP protocol

Based on the previous introduction, we can conclude that LDAP has the following features:

LDAP is a directory service that stores data in special databases. The data read speed is much higher than the write speed.

LDAP optimizes the query, and the read speed is better than that of normal relational databases.

LDAP does not support transactions and cannot perform rollback. Only applications that need to perform these operations can select relational databases.

LDAP adopts the server/client mode and supports a distributed structure.

The entries in LDAP are organized and stored in a tree structure.

LDAP runs directly on simple and common TCP/IP or other reliable transport protocol layers based on the Internet protocol, so that connection establishment and packet processing are simple and fast, it is convenient for Internet and enterprise network applications.

The LDAP protocol is simple. You can use the search operation to perform list operations and read operations.

LDAP uses the reference mechanism to achieve distributed access, and uses client APIs to achieve distributed operations transparent to applications.) This balances the load.

LDAP has the features of low cost, easy configuration and easy management, and provides the features that meet the needs of applications for directory services.