HP-UX Directory Server 8.1 administrator guide

1 Basic HP-UX Directory Server usage
The HP-UX 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 Administrator guide describes all the administration tasks you need to perform to maintain
the HP-UX Directory Server.
The HP-UX Directory Server includes a directory service, an administration server to manage
multiple server instances, and a Java-based console to manage server instances through a graphical
interface. This chapter provides an overview of the basic tasks for administering a directory
service.
The topics include:
• “Overview” (page 19)
• “Directory Server file locations” (page 19)
• “Starting and stopping servers” (page 20)
• “Starting the Directory Server Console” (page 21)
• “Enabling LDAPI” (page 23)
• “Changing Directory Server port numbers” (page 23)
• “Creating a new Directory Server instance” (page 26)
• “Configuring the Directory Manager” (page 28)
• “Enabling plug-ins” (page 28)
1.1 Overview
The HP-UX Directory Server is a robust, scalable server designed to manage an enterprise-wide
directory of users and resources. It is based on an open-systems server protocol called the
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP). Directory Server runs the ns-slapd daemon
on the host machine. The server manages the directory databases and responds to client requests.
Directory Server 8.1 is comprised of several components, which work in tandem:
• The Directory Server is the core LDAP server daemon. It is compliant with LDAP v3
standards. This component includes command line server management and administration
programs and scripts for common operations like export and backing up databases.
• The Directory Server Console is the user interface that simplifies managing users, groups,
and other LDAP data for your enterprise. The Console is used for all aspects of server
management, including making backups; configuring security, replication, and databases;
adding entries; and monitoring servers and viewing statistics.
• The Administration Server is the management agent that administers Directory Server
instances. It communicates with the Directory Server Console and performs operations on
the Directory Server instances. It also provides a simple HTML interface and online help
pages.
Most Directory Server administrative tasks are available through the Directory Server Console,
but it is also possible to administer the Directory Server by manually editing the configuration
files or by using command line utilities.
1.2 Directory Server file locations
HP-UX Directory Server 8.1 conforms to the Filesystem Hierarchy Standards. For more information
on FHS, see the FHS web site:
1.1 Overview 19