LDAP

LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) allows users to find individuals, organizations, files and devices even if the domain name or IP address is not known. It is often used to route messages for large corporations and to find people and computers across private and public networks. LDAP directories may be distributed among numerous servers on a network. They can then be replicated and synchronized on a regular basis. Developed at the University of Michigan, LDAP differs from DAP, an older version of network directory protocol. Though it was first used as a front-end protocol, LDAP can also be used as a stand alone with many types of directory servers. LDAP is easier to use, yet less secure, hence the “light” adaptation. Microsoft Outlook, Netscape Communicator and Eudora are just a few of serval email clients who have used some type of LDAP to retrieve addresses. Infospace and Internic are two services available to the public that can be used to retrieve information; both are built with LDAP.