What is LDAP?

The Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) is a standard protocol for maintaining and accessing directory services across a network. A directory service may be thought of as a phone book for various network resources such as files, printers, users, devices, and servers.

For example, an organization may use a directory to keep information about all of its printers. LDAP allows users to search for a certain printer, find it on the network, and securely connect to it.

LDAP is commonly used for creating central authentication servers. These servers store usernames and passwords for all users on a network. Any and all applications and services can utilize the LDAP server to authenticate and authorize users.

How does LDAP work?

LDAP operates by establishing a directory storage technique that allows records to be added, deleted, and modified. It also allows for the search of such data, which facilitates user authentication and authorization to resources.

LDAP has three key functions:

• Update: This covers adding, removing, or changing directory information.
• Query: This involves finding and comparing directory information.
• Authenticate: The primary authentication functions are binding and unbinding; a third action, abandon, prevents a server from finishing an activity. 

Understanding LDAP components

The Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) is a protocol for accessing and maintaining directory services via a network. The Directory Information Tree (DIT) is a major component of LDAP, which organizes directory data in a hierarchical structure similar to a tree, with entries ordered from the root down to individual objects. Each entry in the DIT is identified by a Distinguished Name (DN), which is unique to the entry's location within the directory tree. LDAP also makes use of Attributes, which are the data fields linked with each entry, such as usernames, passwords, email addresses, and other pertinent information. These properties are specified by Object Classes, which specify the types of directory entries and the attributes they can have. The LDAP schema regulates the directory's structure by providing the object classes and characteristics that can be used in it.  

LDAP Bind is the action that authenticates a user before allowing them to access the directory, guaranteeing safe access to sensitive information. Furthermore, LDAP operations such as search, compare, add, remove, and edit enable users to interact with and alter directory data. These components constitute the core of LDAP, allowing for the efficient and secure management of directory services across several applications and systems. 

What is LDAP authentication?

LDAP authentication is the process of validating users and passwords maintained in a directory service such as OpenLDAP or Microsoft Active Directory. Administrators can create user accounts in a directory and provide them rights.

When a user attempts to access a resource, a request is issued to the LDAP authentication server. The LDAP server compares the entered username and password to the data in the directory. If there is a match, it determines if the user has permission to access the requested resource.