The first is to enable access control and authentication. Once this solution is in place and providing the security for multiple applications, digital certificates are then layered on top of the directory for applications requiring them. The second use of a directory is to provide integration between e-commerce applications and existing applications. Meta-directories enable synchronization of disparate application directories to provide a single source for integrated information. With meta-directories an enterprise can leverage a single user entry across multiple applications to lower the cost of administration while leveraging existing enterprise applications.
Directories often establish user authentication for multiple extranet applications.
Scale to support millions of users and customers. As an enterprise creates new e-commerce applications and integrates existing intranet applications into them, directories must be highly scalable. The number of customers accessing these applications can grow into the hundreds of thousands and even millions. Additionally, customer expectations are rising as easy and rapid access to personal information and services becomes the baseline for many sites. Allow user and application management.