Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)

What is LDAP?

LDAP, or lightweight directory access protocol, is a communications protocol that defines the methods in which a directory service can be accessed. More broadly speaking, LDAP shapes the way that the data within a directory service should be represented to users, defines requirements for the components used to create data entries within a directory service, and outlines the way that different primitive elements are used to compose entries.

Since LDAP is an open protocol, there are many different implementations available. The OpenLDAP project is one of the most well supported open source variants.