Because a directory service can provide a centralized way to manage user credentials, preferences, and privileges, you could also store security credentials for these business partners in the directory. An industry-standard directory solves a lot of problems, but a single directory isn't always feasible in organizations that already have vast numbers of users in numerous directories. A metadirectory provides a centralized directory that handles communication in cross-company networks by combining the ERP systems, database applications, messaging systems, and network operating systems into a single repository. Oracle is an active leader in the LDAP standards arena, in particular in the IETF effort in the replication and the schema working groups. In addition, Oracle is working with other industry leaders, such as Novell, in the LDAP standards body to extend the LDAP specification to enable higher degrees of interoperability among enterprise directory services.
Directory services are one of the key network infrastructure services needed for e-business.
This introduction has just skimmed the surface of the directory-services technology and marketplace initiatives. There are easily several dozen working draft documents designed to meet various requirements for robust, internetwide directory services, including replication, schema, and directory information. All Rights Reserved.