Oracle Net8 Configuration and Troubleshooting

Using LDAP

LDAP is the directory protocol that Net8 uses when you choose to use the directory naming method for name resolution. To configure LDAP on a client, you need to create an ldap.ora file that contains at least the following information:

• The host and port numbers for the LDAP directory server

• A default admin context

• The type, or brand, of LDAP server that you are using

The ldap.ora file goes in the same directory as sqlnet.ora , tnsnames.ora , and your other Net8 configuration files. Chapter 6 talks in detail about the use of Oracle’s directory product—Oracle Internet Directory—for net service name resolution.

Identifying the LDAP Directory

From a client perspective, if you are using LDAP, the most important thing is to identify the specific LDAP server that you are using. There are two parts to this. You must identify the brand, and you must specify the network address of the actual server.

To specify the brand of LDAP server that you are using, place a DIRECTORY_SERVER_TYPE entry into your ldap.ora file. The following entry specifies that the LDAP server is an instance of the Oracle Internet Directory:

DIRECTORY_SERVER_TYPE = OID

There are other type codes besides OID. Table 3.4 gives a complete list.

Table 3-4. Directory Server Type Codes

Code	Directory Server Product
OID	Oracle Internet Directory
AD	Microsoft Active Directory
NDS	Novell Directory Services

To identify the network address of the specific LDAP server that you want to use, place a DIRECTORY_SERVERS ...