RFC 3088 (rfc3088) - Page 1 of 11


OpenLDAP Root Service An experimental LDAP referral service



Alternative Format: Original Text Document



Network Working Group                                        K. Zeilenga
Request for Comments: 3088                           OpenLDAP Foundation
Category: Experimental                                        April 2001


                         OpenLDAP Root Service
                 An experimental LDAP referral service

Status of this Memo

   This memo defines an Experimental Protocol for the Internet
   community.  It does not specify an Internet standard of any kind.
   Discussion and suggestions for improvement are requested.
   Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2001).  All Rights Reserved.

Abstract

   The OpenLDAP Project is operating an experimental LDAP (Lightweight
   Directory Access Protocol) referral service known as the "OpenLDAP
   Root Service".  The automated system generates referrals based upon
   service location information published in DNS SRV RRs (Domain Name
   System location of services resource records).  This document
   describes this service.

1. Background

   LDAP [RFC 2251] directories use a hierarchical naming scheme inherited
   from X.500 [X500].  Traditionally, X.500 deployments have used a
   geo-political naming scheme (e.g., CN=Jane
   Doe,OU=Engineering,O=Example,ST=CA,C=US).  However, registration
   infrastructure and location services in many portions of the naming
   hierarchical are inadequate or nonexistent.

   The construction of a global directory requires a robust registration
   infrastructure and location service.  Use of Internet domain-based
   naming [RFC 2247] (e.g., UID=jdoe,DC=eng,DC=example,DC=net) allows
   LDAP directory services to leverage the existing DNS [RFC 1034]
   registration infrastructure and DNS SRV [RFC 2782] resource records
   can be used to locate services [LOCATE].








Zeilenga                      Experimental