Using Service Search Descriptors to Modify Client Access to Various Services

A service search descriptor (SSD) changes the default search request for a given operation in LDAP to a search you define. SSDs are particularly useful if, for example, you have been using LDAP with customized container definitions or another operating system and are now transitional to the latest Solaris release. Using SSDs, you can configure Solaris LDAP naming services without having to change your existing LDAP database and data.

Setting Up SSDs Using idsconfig

Assume your predecessor at Example, Inc. had configured LDAP, storing users in ou=Users container. You are now upgrading to the latest Solaris release. By definition, Solaris LDAP client assumes that user entries are stored in ou=People container. Thus, when it comes to searching the passwd service, LDAP client will search the ou=people level of the DIT and not find the correct values.

One laborious solution to the above problem would be to completely overwrite Example, Inc.'s existing DIT and to rewrite all the exiting applications on Example, Inc.'s network so that they are compatible with the new LDAP naming service. A second, far preferable solution would be to use an SSD that would tell LDAP client to look for user info in an ou=Users container instead the default ou=people container.

You would define the necessary SSD during the configuration of the Sun Java System Directory Server using idsconfig. The prompt line appears as follows.

Do you wish to setup Service Search Descriptors (y/n/h? y
  A  Add a Service Search Descriptor
  D  Delete a SSD
  M  Modify a SSD
  P  Display all SSD's
  H  Help
  X  Clear all SSD's

  Q  Exit menu
Enter menu choice: [Quit] a
Enter the service id: passwd
Enter the base: service ou=user,dc=west,dc=example,dc=com
Enter the scope: one[default]
  A  Add a Service Search Descriptor
  D  Delete a SSD
  M  Modify a SSD
  P  Display all SSD's
  H  Help
  X  Clear all SSD's

  Q  Exit menu
Enter menu choice: [Quit] p

Current Service Search Descriptors:
==================================
Passwd:ou=Users,ou=west,ou=example,ou=com?

Hit return to continue.

  A  Add a Service Search Descriptor
  D  Delete a SSD
  M  Modify a SSD
  P  Display all SSD's
  H  Help
  X  Clear all SSD's

  Q  Exit menu
Enter menu choice: [Quit] q