The Solaris^TM 8 Operating Environment integrates a complete directory server that can be used as a repository by many applications for storing and retrieving user and application profiles. This directory server is accessible through standard, open-access protocols, such as Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) v3, Network Information Service (NIS), and Remote Authentication Dial-In User Service (RADIUS).

A Software Development Kit (SDK) is provided as part of Solaris for C and Java^TM access.

Developers can take advantage of the leading directory server from the Sun-Netscape Alliance without any additional third-party software installation. The Sun-Netscape Alliance directory technology scales to tens of millions of users with rock-solid reliability for mission-critical and e-commerce applications.

Requirements

• 100 MB disk space and 64 MB memory
• X-window system window manager to use the graphical configuration and management tools

Directories introduce a new management paradigm:

• Provide a central repository for configuration parameters.
• Make distributed management much easier.
• Share information between applications through a common schema.
• Manage information through the directory interface, reducing the need for application-specific GUIs.

Directories enable distribution of information:

• Easy replication and distribution to improve performance and availability.
• Information accessible from anywhere, lowering the cost of access.
• Hierarchical data structure provides a flexible way to organize the information.
• Advanced security mechanisms such as Access Control Lists (ACLs) or add-on products.
• Delegated Administrator allows safe information sharing, across the enterprise and the extranet.
• Reduced administration costs. Ensures data accuracy and integrity. Gets rid of multiple databases, and automatically improves data coherence.

Native support of LDAP in the Solaris Operating Environment enables applications to interface directly to many users and system-related parameters.