LDAP, or Lightweight Directory Access Protocol, is a directory management system/database that simplifies life for anyone managing a network with more than 50 users. While Sun and Microsoft have created their own versions of LDAP, OpenLDAP is freeware that is available for use and redistribution to the programming community.</P>

For all the work and time invested in using LDAP, not enough time has been spent designing the layout and the logic of directories. End users and system architects often don’t give appropriate attention to the deployment of LDAP as a standards-based system with interfacing ability. Thus, many of LDAP’s best features - especially OpenLDAP - become unusable. As a remedy, deploying OpenLDAP delves into the logic, theories and fundamentals of directories. This book surpasses "what is", and instead shows system administrators "how to." A good resource for learning more is www.openldap.org. </P>