OpenLDAP Workshop

Central Register

Test and Try

Now you should gain some initial experience with the existing data in LDAP – first, with simple command-line tools, then with more convenient tools. An LDAP search using the command-line tools is tedious. In this example, the user uhabel logs on and looks for objects that have any object class. The result will be all objects of the LDAP server, because each object must at least have an object class:

$ ldapsearch -D uid=uhabel,ou=people,dc=acme-services,dc=org -W -x'(objectClass=*)'

After entering the password, all entries are listed. The user password attribute is only displayed for user uhabel; it remains hidden for the other users. In principle, it is possible to output each node in the tree with a search and then to modify the results with a matching LDIF file. However, this procedure is very time consuming; therefore, different user tools have become established.

Elegant Command Line

The ldapvi [1] command-line tool connects the LDAP search with the vi editor, thus supporting simple changes. When you save and quit the editor, an LDIF file is created and then applied.

The ldapvi tool's command-line options are similar to those of openldap-client, which I already looked at:

$ ldapvi -D cn=Manager,dc=acme-services,dc=org -b dc=acme-services,dc=org -h ldapi://

The preceding command queries the directory tree and presents the results in the editor (Figure 3). This approach allows you to edit entries elegantly and quickly on a remote SSH console.

Figure 3: ldapvi, an elegant command-line tool.

Apache Directory Studio

Apache Directory Studio [2] is a graphical client built on the Eclipse framework (Figure 4). Because of the Eclipse platform, the client computer definitely needs a few megabytes of memory. Although stability is questionable, Directory Studio has carved its own niche.

Figure 4: Graphical interface for LDAP: Apache Directory Studio.

Administrators who want to develop their own schemas have no way around this tool. The main advantage, in addition to the graphical interface, is support for all imaginable situations in the life of an LDAP administrator.

Buy this article as PDF

Express-Checkout as PDF
Price $2.95
(incl. VAT)

Buy ADMIN Magazine

SINGLE ISSUES
 
SUBSCRIPTIONS
 
TABLET & SMARTPHONE APPS
Get it on Google Play

US / Canada

Get it on Google Play

UK / Australia

Related content

  • LDAP integration with popular groupware suites
    Your LDAP directory holds user data for the whole network. Why not save time and avoid duplication by integrating the LDAP directory with your groupware environment?
  • Quick and easy SaaS provisioning for OpenLDAP
    Provisioning SaaS apps for OpenLDAP users with Okta Cloud Connect lets you retain control of your users' data and access to applications, yet gives them the tools they want.
  • Migration from LDAP to FreeIPA
    The change from centralized user authentication on a vanilla LDAP server to the FreeIPA identity management solution is easier than many admins think. Given attention to a few points, the migration takes very little time and effort.
  • Secure passwordless logins with FIDO2 and LDAP
    Log in to your account securely without a password with LDAP and a schema to establish the objects and attributes required for FIDO2 authentication.
  • Single sign-on with Keycloak
    Google and Facebook are two of the biggest providers for single sign-on on the web, with OAuth2 and OpenID, but if you don't want to put your customers' or employees' data in their hands, Red Hat's Keycloak software lets you run your own operations with the option of integrating existing Kerberos or LDAP accounts.
comments powered by Disqus
Subscribe to our ADMIN Newsletters
Subscribe to our Linux Newsletters
Find Linux and Open Source Jobs



Support Our Work

ADMIN content is made possible with support from readers like you. Please consider contributing when you've found an article to be beneficial.

Learn More”>
	</a>

<hr>		    
			</div>
		    		</div>

		<div class=