LDAP road map: Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP): Technical Specification Road Map
The table of contents for LDAP version 3: which documents together make up the technical specification.
Zeilenga, K., Ed., "Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP): Technical Specification Road Map", RFC 4510, DOI 10.17487/RFC4510, June 2006, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc4510>.
@misc{rfc4510,
series = {Request for Comments},
number = 4510,
howpublished = {RFC 4510},
publisher = {RFC Editor},
doi = {10.17487/RFC4510},
url = {https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc4510},
author = {K. Zeilenga},
title = {{Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP): Technical Specification Road Map}},
pagetotal = 7,
year = 2006,
month = jun,
} RFC text
Contents
Network Working Group K. Zeilenga, Ed.
Request for Comments: 4510 OpenLDAP Foundation
Obsoletes: 2251, 2252, 2253, 2254, 2255, June 2006
2256, 2829, 2830, 3377, 3771
Category: Standards Track
Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP):
Technical Specification Road Map
Status of This Memo
This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2006).
Abstract
The Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) is an Internet
protocol for accessing distributed directory services that act in
accordance with X.500 data and service models. This document
provides a road map of the LDAP Technical Specification.
1. The LDAP Technical Specification
The technical specification detailing version 3 of the Lightweight
Directory Access Protocol (LDAP), an Internet Protocol, consists of
this document and the following documents:
LDAP: The Protocol [RFC4511]
LDAP: Directory Information Models [RFC4512]
LDAP: Authentication Methods and Security Mechanisms [RFC4513]
LDAP: String Representation of Distinguished Names [RFC4514]
LDAP: String Representation of Search Filters [RFC4515]
LDAP: Uniform Resource Locator [RFC4516]
LDAP: Syntaxes and Matching Rules [RFC4517]
LDAP: Internationalized String Preparation [RFC4518]
LDAP: Schema for User Applications [RFC4519]
The terms "LDAP" and "LDAPv3" are commonly used to refer informally
to the protocol specified by this technical specification. The LDAP
suite, as defined here, should be formally identified in other
documents by a normative reference to this document.
LDAP is an extensible protocol. Extensions to LDAP may be specified
in other documents. Nomenclature denoting such combinations of
LDAP-plus-extensions is not defined by this document but may be
defined in some future document(s). Extensions are expected to be
truly optional. Considerations for the LDAP extensions described in
BCP 118, RFC 4521 [RFC4521] fully apply to this revision of the LDAP
Technical Specification.
IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) considerations for LDAP
described in BCP 64, RFC 4520 [RFC4520] apply fully to this revision
of the LDAP technical specification.
1.1. Conventions
The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
"SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this
document are to be interpreted as described in BCP 14 [RFC2119].
2. Relationship to X.500
This technical specification defines LDAP in terms of [X.500] as an
X.500 access mechanism. An LDAP server MUST act in accordance with
the X.500 (1993) series of International Telecommunication Union -
Telecommunication Standardization (ITU-T) Recommendations when
providing the service. However, it is not required that an LDAP
server make use of any X.500 protocols in providing this service.
For example, LDAP can be mapped onto any other directory system so
long as the X.500 data and service models [X.501][X.511], as used in
LDAP, are not violated in the LDAP interface.
This technical specification explicitly incorporates portions of
X.500(93). Later revisions of X.500 do not automatically apply to
this technical specification.
3. Relationship to Obsolete Specifications
This technical specification, as defined in Section 1, obsoletes
entirely the previously defined LDAP technical specification defined
in RFC 3377 (and consisting of RFCs 2251-2256, 2829, 2830, 3771, and
3377 itself). The technical specification was significantly
reorganized.
This document replaces RFC 3377 as well as Section 3.3 of RFC 2251.
[RFC4512] replaces portions of RFC 2251, RFC 2252, and RFC 2256.
[RFC4511] replaces the majority RFC 2251, portions of RFC 2252, and
all of RFC 3771. [RFC4513] replaces RFC 2829, RFC 2830, and portions
of RFC 2251. [RFC4517] replaces the majority of RFC 2252 and
portions of RFC 2256. [RFC4519] replaces the majority of RFC 2256.
[RFC4514] replaces RFC 2253. [RFC4515] replaces RFC 2254. [RFC4516]
replaces RFC 2255.
[RFC4518] is new to this revision of the LDAP technical
specification.
Each document of this specification contains appendices summarizing
changes to all sections of the specifications they replace. Appendix
A.1 of this document details changes made to RFC 3377. Appendix A.2
of this document details changes made to Section 3.3 of RFC 2251.
Additionally, portions of this technical specification update and/or
replace a number of other documents not listed above. These
relationships are discussed in the documents detailing these portions
of this technical specification.
4. Security Considerations
LDAP security considerations are discussed in each document
comprising the technical specification.
5. Acknowledgements
This document is based largely on RFC 3377 by J. Hodges and R.
Morgan, a product of the LDAPBIS and LDAPEXT Working Groups. The
document also borrows from RFC 2251 by M. Wahl, T. Howes, and S.
Kille, a product of the ASID Working Group.
This document is a product of the IETF LDAPBIS Working Group.
6. Normative References
[RFC2119] Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate
Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, March 1997.
[RFC4511] Sermersheim, J., Ed., "Lightweight Directory Access
Protocol (LDAP): The Protocol", RFC 4511, June 2006.
[RFC4512] Zeilenga, K., "Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
(LDAP): Directory Information Models", RFC 4512, June
2006.
[RFC4513] Harrison, R., Ed., "Lightweight Directory Access
Protocol (LDAP): Authentication Methods and Security
Mechanisms", RFC 4513, June 2006.
[RFC4514] Zeilenga, K., Ed., "Lightweight Directory Access
Protocol (LDAP): String Representation of Distinguished
Names", RFC 4514, June 2006.
[RFC4515] Smith, M., Ed. and T. Howes, "Lightweight Directory
Access Protocol (LDAP): String Representation of Search
Filters", RFC 4515, June 2006.
[RFC4516] Smith, M., Ed. and T. Howes, "Lightweight Directory
Access Protocol (LDAP): Uniform Resource Locator", RFC
4516, June 2006.
[RFC4517] Legg, S., Ed., "Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
(LDAP): Syntaxes and Matching Rules", RFC 4517, June
2006.
[RFC4518] Zeilenga, K., "Lightweight Directory Access Protocol
(LDAP): Internationalized String Preparation", RFC
4518, June 2006.
[RFC4519] Sciberras, A., Ed., "Lightweight Directory Access
Protocol (LDAP): Schema for User Applications", RFC
4519, June 2006.
[RFC4520] Zeilenga, K., "Internet Assigned Numbers Authority
(IANA) Considerations for the Lightweight Directory
Access Protocol (LDAP)", BCP 64, RFC 4520, June 2006.
[RFC4521] Zeilenga, K., "Considerations for LDAP Extensions", BCP
118, RFC 4521, June 2006.
[X.500] International Telecommunication Union -
Telecommunication Standardization Sector, "The
Directory -- Overview of concepts, models and
services", X.500(1993) (also ISO/IEC 9594-1:1994).
[X.501] International Telecommunication Union -
Telecommunication Standardization Sector, "The
Directory -- Models", X.501(1993) (also ISO/IEC 9594-
2:1994).
[X.511] International Telecommunication Union -
Telecommunication Standardization Sector, "The
Directory: Abstract Service Definition", X.511(1993)
(also ISO/IEC 9594-3:1993).
Appendix A. Changes to Previous Documents
This appendix outlines changes this document makes relative to the
documents it replaces (in whole or in part).
A.1. Changes to RFC 3377
This document is nearly a complete rewrite of RFC 3377 as much of the
material of RFC 3377 is no longer applicable. The changes include
redefining the terms "LDAP" and "LDAPv3" to refer to this revision of
the technical specification.
A.2. Changes to Section 3.3 of RFC 2251
The section was modified slightly (the word "document" was replaced
with "technical specification") to clarify that it applies to the
entire LDAP technical specification.
Author's Address
Kurt D. Zeilenga
OpenLDAP Foundation
EMail: Kurt@OpenLDAP.org
Full Copyright Statement
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2006).
This document is subject to the rights, licenses and restrictions
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AI ELI5
On this page
§1The LDAP Technical Specification
The Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) is an Internet protocol for accessing distributed directory services that act in accordance with X.500 data and service models. RFC 4510 is a road map. It does not define the protocol itself, but lists the documents that do.
The technical specification for LDAP version 3 consists of this document and nine others: the protocol (RFC 4511), directory information models (RFC 4512), authentication methods and security mechanisms (RFC 4513), string representation of distinguished names (RFC 4514), string representation of search filters (RFC 4515), the LDAP URL (RFC 4516), syntaxes and matching rules (RFC 4517), internationalized string preparation (RFC 4518) and the schema for user applications (RFC 4519).
The terms "LDAP" and "LDAPv3" are used informally for the protocol this specification defines. Other documents should identify the LDAP suite formally by a normative reference to RFC 4510.
LDAP is like a big phone book that many computers can look things up in. This document is the list of all the instruction booklets that explain how the phone book works.
§2The Companion Documents
Each document in the suite covers one slice of LDAP. The protocol itself, with its message exchanges, is in RFC 4511. The data it works on, the directory information models, are in RFC 4512, and the schema for common user applications is in RFC 4519.
Names and queries have their own documents: RFC 4514 for distinguished names as strings, RFC 4515 for search filters as strings, and RFC 4516 for the LDAP Uniform Resource Locator. Syntaxes and matching rules are in RFC 4517, and RFC 4518 covers internationalized string preparation. Security is in RFC 4513.
Of these, only RFC 4518 is new to this revision. The rest rework earlier documents.
One booklet explains how to ask the phone book a question, another how names are written, another how to keep it safe. Together they make the whole set.
§3Relationship to X.500
The specification defines LDAP in terms of X.500 as an access mechanism. An LDAP server MUST act in accordance with the X.500 (1993) series of ITU-T Recommendations when providing the service.
It is not required that a server use any X.500 protocols to do so. LDAP can be mapped onto any other directory system, as long as the X.500 data and service models (X.501 and X.511), as used in LDAP, are not violated at the LDAP interface.
The specification explicitly incorporates portions of X.500(93). Later revisions of X.500 do not automatically apply to it.
LDAP has to play by the same rules as an older, bigger directory system. But the computer behind it can be built any way, as long as it acts the same from outside.
§4Relationship to Obsolete Specifications
This specification obsoletes entirely the previous LDAP technical specification defined in RFC 3377, which consisted of RFCs 2251 to 2256, 2829, 2830, 3771 and RFC 3377 itself. The suite was significantly reorganized.
RFC 4510 replaces RFC 3377 and Section 3.3 of RFC 2251. Appendix A.1 says it is nearly a complete rewrite of RFC 3377 because much of that material no longer applied, and that it redefines "LDAP" and "LDAPv3" to refer to this revision. Appendix A.2 notes that Section 3.3 of RFC 2251 changed slightly: the word "document" became "technical specification", to show it applies to the entire suite.
Each document in the suite has appendices summarizing the changes to the sections of the specifications it replaces. Portions of the suite may also update or replace other documents, and these relationships are described in the documents concerned.
This is a new edition of the instruction set. The old booklets were shuffled around and replaced, so the new list says which new booklet took over from which old one.
| New document | Replaces |
|---|---|
| RFC 4510 (this road map) THIS RFC | RFC 3377 and Section 3.3 of RFC 2251 |
| RFC 4511 (protocol) | Majority of RFC 2251, portions of RFC 2252, all of RFC 3771 |
| RFC 4512 (information models) | Portions of RFC 2251, RFC 2252 and RFC 2256 |
| RFC 4513 (authentication) | RFC 2829, RFC 2830 and portions of RFC 2251 |
| RFC 4514 (distinguished names) | RFC 2253 |
| RFC 4515 (search filters) | RFC 2254 |
| RFC 4516 (LDAP URL) | RFC 2255 |
| RFC 4517 (syntaxes and matching rules) | Majority of RFC 2252 and portions of RFC 2256 |
| RFC 4518 (string preparation) | New in this revision |
| RFC 4519 (user schema) | Majority of RFC 2256 |
§5Extensions and IANA
LDAP is an extensible protocol. Extensions may be specified in other documents, and they are expected to be truly optional. The considerations for LDAP extensions in BCP 118, RFC 4521, apply fully to this revision.
Nomenclature for LDAP-plus-extensions combinations is not defined here, though a future document may define it. The IANA considerations in BCP 64, RFC 4520, also apply fully.
You can add extra features to LDAP, but they have to be optional, so that everyone can still talk to each other even if they skip them.
§6Security Considerations
RFC 4510 adds no security text of its own. It states only that LDAP security considerations are discussed in each document that makes up the technical specification.
The authentication methods and security mechanisms are specified in RFC 4513, so that is the natural starting point for security questions.
Each booklet has its own safety section, so this list just points you to them.