Overview
This lecture introduces the LDAP Data Interchange Format (LDIF), explaining its structure, history, usage, and examples related to LDAP directory management.
LDIF Basics and History
- LDIF is a standard plain text format for representing LDAP directory content and update requests.
- Each LDIF record represents one directory entry or one update operation (Add, Modify, Delete, Rename).
- Designed in the early 1990s and formalized in RFC 2849 as version 1.
- LDIF supports both directory content and change records.
Record Structure and Syntax
- Records are groups of attribute lines separated by blank lines.
- Each attribute appears as "name: value"; multi-line values use line folding.
- Base64 encoding is used for non-ASCII values, indicated by '::'.
- Comment lines start with "#" (hash/pound sign).
- A dash ("-") separates multiple attribute changes in a modify operation (required by some tools).
Tools Supporting LDIF
- OpenLDAP utilities: ldapsearch (export), ldapadd (import), ldapmodify (apply changes).
- Netscape Communicator and Mozilla Application Suite support LDIF for address book import/export.
- Microsoft Windows 2000/2003: LDIFDE tool manages Active Directory data.
- JXplorer can browse and edit LDIF files.
LDIF Usage Examples
- Adding a directory entry includes attributes for object class and common name.
- Modifying attributes for entries uses 'changetype: modify' and lists attribute replacements separated by "-".
- Adding new attribute values, such as a telephone number, is supported with 'changetype: modify' and 'add:'.
- LDIF can include controls using the "control:" line.
Key Terms & Definitions
- LDIF — LDAP Data Interchange Format, a textual data exchange format for LDAP.
- LDAP — Lightweight Directory Access Protocol, used for directory services.
- dn — Distinguished Name, uniquely identifies an entry in the directory.
- dc — Domain Component, part of a domain name in LDAP structure.
- ou — Organizational Unit, a subgroup or department within a directory.
- cn — Common Name, the name of the object in the directory.
- objectClass — Specifies the type of object (e.g. user or organization).
- changetype — Field in modify records specifying the change type (add, modify, delete, rename).
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review RFC 2849 for LDIF specification details.
- Practice writing and interpreting LDIF records.
- Explore tools like ldapsearch, ldapadd, ldapmodify, and LDIFDE for LDIF handling.