UKUUG Spring 2009 Conference
24-26 March 2009 in London
OpenLDAP and MySQL: Bridging the Data Model Divide
Abstract
Much has been written about the differences between LDAP/X.500 directories and relational databases (RDBMSs). The hierarchical data model of the directory and the tabular data model of the RDBMS are diametrically opposed and the approaches to data management that each engenders are fundamentally different. And yet, because both approaches are so ubiquitously useful, people frequently ask "how do I access my RDBMS data via LDAP" or vice versa.
OpenLDAP has long provided a back-sql backend that exposes RDBMS data using a generic ODBC glue layer, but its functionality is limited and its performance is hampered by having to translate all requests and data between LDAP and SQL.
Recently MySQL partnered with Symas Corp. to develop a native OpenLDAP backend to utilize the MySQL NDB cluster engine directly, without passing through any SQL translation layer. This backend provides high performance and effortless scaling across multiple data nodes, supporting simultaneous access to data from both LDAP and SQL with no performance penalties on either side. The first release was included in OpenLDAP 2.4.12 in October 2008.
This talk will enumerate all of the disconnects between the RDBMS model and the LDAP model, and describe how the OpenLDAP NDB backend was designed to bridge those gaps and provide the best of both worlds.
Speaker biography
Forthcoming.
Slides
The slies from this presentation are available in the following formats:
PO BOX 37
Buntingford
Herts
SG9 9UQ More information