Hello,
I am looking to learn about meta directories using ldap. So i am looking for
a way to create a tree structure which wiull be somewhat dynamic, that has
referrals (or aliases - whatever is possible) to a simpler structure in the
same directory.
something like ("real" data which does not change it's position the DIT) :
o=real
ou=unit x
cn=some person
....
ou=unit y
cn=some other person
then have a vutual structure (whick is both liable and likely to change)
o=virtual
ou=animal enthusiasts
ou=dog fanciers
ou=unit x (local referral to o=real, ou=unit x)
The intent is to have a "virtual" tree structure that represents a dynamic
representation of an organisations's structure, that is presented to the
real world, but have the actual data stored in a simple, static structure to
minimise configuration change.
this would provide an accurate representation of the shifting organisational
structure for presentation, but services which would be affected by this
frequently moving organisation structure (web or proxy authentication etc.,)
point to the static or "real" data so changes to the apparent organisational
structure do not affect critical system services.
i was thinking this could be implemented by referrals from the "dynamic"
part of the tree to the "static" part of the tree, but looking at the
referral format it seems to require a hostname, which would in this case be
it's own server.
i would suspect that it is not proper? for one server to refer to itself,
but if it was, is there a syntax for a referral which does not require a
hostname (or a way to specify a localtion in the local DIT) in the "ref"
attribute,
alternatively is there a native alias mechanism which several other servers
have, to graft (apparently for queries etc., not in reality) one part of an
openldap server's tree to another ?
Cheers
Brett