Overview
This lecture introduces directory servers, their structure, benefits, and the roles of systems administrators in their setup and management.
Directory Servers & Their Purpose
- A directory server provides a lookup service to map network resources to their network addresses.
- Directory servers store information about user accounts, user groups, telephone numbers, and network shares centrally.
- Centralizing information on a directory server simplifies access and management compared to local storage on each machine.
Replication & Redundancy
- Replication allows directory data to be copied across multiple servers, presenting a unified data store.
- Replication provides redundancy, minimizing service disruption if one server fails.
- Replication reduces query latency by placing directory replicas close to users in multiple locations.
Hierarchical Structure & Organizational Units (OUs)
- Directory servers use a hierarchical model with containers called organizational units (OUs).
- OUs can contain objects (like user accounts) or additional sub-OUs, similar to folders and subfolders in a file system.
- Hierarchical organization aids in data management and reflects organizational structure (e.g., by department).
- Changes to a parent OU apply to its sub-OUs; for example, stricter password policies for a department.
Directory Service Flexibility & Accessibility
- Directory service should allow creation of new object types as organizational needs evolve.
- Information stored in directory servers should be accessible from different operating systems and network locations.
Systems Administrator Responsibilities
- System admins are responsible for installing, configuring, and maintaining the directory server and its operating system.
- Admin duties include updating the OS, installing the directory service, configuring replication, and designing the directory hierarchy.
Key Terms & Definitions
- Directory Server — A server that provides a lookup service for mapping resources to network addresses.
- Replication — The process of copying data across multiple servers for redundancy and improved access speed.
- Organizational Unit (OU) — A container within a directory server for organizing objects, similar to a folder.
- Object — An individual item in a directory, such as a user account or a group.
Action Items / Next Steps
- Review key directory service concepts and the structure of organizational units.
- Consider how directory servers can be designed for redundancy and efficient management.