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Note that Directory Integrator, with its extensive connector library, provides
everything needed to create request-response information solutions like Web
Services.
Figure 8-11 Directory Integrator sample flow using Web service connector
8.4 Unified directory service
Many organizations with multiple directories are faced with issues surrounding
the administration of the data. In order to reduce the total number of directories
that need to be administered, managed, and supported, it is necessary to
consolidate and eliminate redundant directories. To do this, it is usually
necessary to migrate data from one directory to another. While it is unlikely that
most commercial organizations will be able to consolidate down to a single
directory, consolidation of just two directories can result in significant operation
cost savings.
We define a unified directory service as a consolidated directory data
management strategy. It usually is based around either a central, master
directory, or a centrally controlled metadirectory used for directory
synchronization, or both. A metadirectory is not a traditional user directory;
rather, it stores information about where the data is located, how it can be
accessed, and how the data flows between different directories. Because it only
stores data about data, a “metadirectory” is the repository for this “metadata.”
Based on IBM experience with other customers, there are several fundamental
best practices for defining a strategy involving multiple enterprise directories. We
have discussed these previously in this chapter, and now we show the sequence
of high-level steps needed for formulating a directory service strategy.
Chapter 8. Directory strategies 339