LDAP stands for Lightweight Directory Access Protocol. It is an open, vendor-neutral, industry standard application protocol for accessing and maintaining distributed directory information services over an Internet Protocol (IP) network. Directory services play an important role in developing intranet and Internet applications by allowing the sharing of information about users, systems, networks, services, and applications throughout the network.
Essentially, LDAP is used to store any kind of information that needs to be retrieved and managed in a hierarchical fashion. It is commonly used for organizing user data such as usernames, passwords, phone numbers, and addresses, and allows such information to be accessed in a fast and efficient manner.
1. Centralizing the management of users and groups: LDAP can store and serve all user and group information, enforcing a single place to manage credentials and access rights.
2. Authentication and Authorization: Many applications, including email clients and web services, use LDAP to authenticate users. LDAP servers can also store authorization information, which specifies what resources users have access to.
3. Directory lookups: LDAP can be used to look up email addresses, encryption certificates, and other services on the network.
4. Integrating with other security technologies: LDAP often integrates with other security technologies, such as Kerberos, to provide a comprehensive security solution.
