This cool tip explains how to find out the type of directory server running on remote system.

Problem

When you have multiple directory servers such as eDirectory, Active Directory, Sun One Directory, etc. in your lab, it becomes difficult to determine the type of directory server by just checking its open ports. Many times you have to log in to the machine or locally visit the machine, which is time-consuming.

Solution

Each directory server has its own characteristics that clearly separate it from others. To find out its type, use any available LDAP search tool with the following parameters:

Filter: (objectClass=*)
Base: 
Scope: base  level
Attributes:  vendorversion, objectClass, isGlobalCatalogReady

Now search for the above attributes and based on the results we can categorize the directory servers into following types:

eDirectory:

Attribute vendorVersion will contain the term "Novell eDirectory".

Sun One Directory:

Attribute vendorVersion will contain the term "Sun Directory".

OpenLDAP:

The objectClass attribute contains one of the values as "OpenLDAProotDSE".

Active Directory:

Search result will contain the value "isGlobalCatalogReady".

So using just one LDAP search over the directory, you can find out its type accurately.

I have automated this task, using a tool called DirServerScanner, which can scan entire machines in your lab and display the results for all servers at once.

Environment

• eDirectory / LDAP

• Novell Secure Login