LDAPstyle

LDAPstyle is a design approach for building software and services that use the LDAP directory as the primary source of identity and attribute information. It emphasizes conformance to LDAP standards for access, search, and modification operations, and it favors directory-centric patterns for authentication, authorization, and provisioning. The term is not a formal specification, but a descriptive label used to discuss common practices that place the directory at the center of application identity.

Principles commonly associated with LDAPstyle include centralization of identity data in an LDAP directory, avoidance of local user stores where feasible, and the use of LDAP binds for authentication and LDAP search filters for authorization decisions. It also prescribes consistent naming conventions, stable object classes, and predictable search bases, scopes, and attributes to facilitate cross-application interoperability.

Typical architecture features an LDAP server or directory service accessed by client applications, identity and access management systems, and provisioning tools. Applications perform authentication via authenticated binds or SASL over TLS, retrieve user and group information through paged searches, and apply authorization decisions based on group memberships or role attributes. Caching, referrals handling, and schema-aware validation are common implementation details.

Security and governance considerations include encryption for data in transit (TLS), strong bind methods, password policy enforcement, access-control lists on directory entries, auditing of directory operations, and change management for schema evolution. Performance management may involve indexing, paging, and connection pooling.

LDAPstyle is widely discussed in enterprise contexts where a central directory underpins multiple services, but it is not a universal standard. Different organizations adapt the approach to their schemas, directory vendors, and compliance requirements, balancing centralized control against directory availability and flexibility.