Introduction

LDAP, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol, is an Internet protocol that email and other programs use to look up information from a server. "LDAP-aware" client programs can ask LDAP servers to look up entries in a wide variety of ways. LDAP servers index all the data in their entries, and "filters" may be used to select just the person or group you want, and return just the information you want. LDAP is not limited to contact information, or even information about people. LDAP is used to look up encryption certificates, pointers to printers and other services on a network, and provide "single signon" where one password for a user is shared between many services. LDAP is appropriate for any kind of directory-like information, where fast lookups and less-frequent updates are the norm.

In environments providing mission-critical end-user services, the LDAP server, by enabling speedy retrieval of information, ensures that the quality of the user experience with the service is top-notch. The non-availability of the LDAP server in such infrastructures could therefore significantly slowdown service delivery, thereby impacting the overall service quality. To avoid such unpleasant consequences, it is imperative that the LDAP server’s availability and responsiveness be continuously monitored. eG Enterprise helps administrators in continuous monitoring of LDAP server.