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OpenLDAP VS 389 Directory Server

Compare OpenLDAP VS 389 Directory Server and see what are their differences

OpenLDAP logo OpenLDAP

OpenLDAP Software is an open source implementation of the Lightweight Directory Access Protocol.

389 Directory Server logo 389 Directory Server

Enterprise-class open source Linux LDAP server.
  • OpenLDAP Landing page
    Landing page //
    2022-09-27
  • 389 Directory Server Landing page
    Landing page //
    2021-10-20

OpenLDAP features and specs

  • Open Source
    OpenLDAP is an open-source software, which means it is free to use and has a community-driven development model. This allows for greater transparency and the ability for users to contribute to its improvements and updates.
  • Cross-Platform Compatibility
    OpenLDAP can run on various operating systems including Linux, BSD, Solaris, Windows, and macOS, making it a versatile choice for different IT environments.
  • Extensibility
    It offers a wide range of modules and overlays that allow for customization and the addition of new features, which can be tailored to meet specific organizational needs.
  • Protocol Standards
    OpenLDAP implements Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) which is a widely accepted protocol for accessing and maintaining distributed directory information services over an IP network.
  • Scalability
    OpenLDAP is capable of handling large volumes of data and numerous queries, making it suitable for both small and large organizations with scalability needs.

Possible disadvantages of OpenLDAP

  • Complex Configuration
    Setting up and configuring OpenLDAP can be complex and time-consuming, requiring specialized knowledge and experience, which may create a barrier for newcomers.
  • Lack of Official Support
    As an open-source project, it primarily relies on community support. Organizations in need of professional support might find this limiting as there's no official support channel or dedicated support team.
  • Documentation
    While extensive, the documentation can sometimes be difficult to navigate for those not familiar with LDAP or OpenLDAP concepts, which could lead to steep learning curves.
  • Performance Tuning
    To achieve optimal performance, considerable tuning might be required based on the specific use case and deployment environment, potentially involving a significant investment of time and resources.
  • Graphical User Interface Limitations
    OpenLDAP lacks a built-in graphical user interface, which might lead to a reliance on third-party tools or command-line interfaces, potentially complicating administrative tasks for those accustomed to GUI-based management.

389 Directory Server features and specs

  • Open Source
    389 Directory Server is open source, providing transparency and community-driven development. This allows for more extensive peer review and potentially faster iteration.
  • Multiplatform Support
    The server runs on multiple platforms, including Linux distributions such as CentOS, Fedora, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux, increasing its versatility across different environments.
  • Scalability
    389 Directory Server is designed to handle large directories with millions of entries, making it suitable for enterprise-level deployments.
  • Rich Feature Set
    It offers a comprehensive set of features including replication, SSL/TLS encryption, and a powerful access control mechanism, which are crucial for robust directory management.
  • Active Community and Support
    An active community and commercial support options are available, providing resources for troubleshooting and improving the software.
  • Role-Based Access Control
    Provides detailed access management through role-based access control, improving security and flexibility in user management.

Possible disadvantages of 389 Directory Server

  • Complex Setup
    Initial setup and configuration can be complex and time-consuming, requiring a good understanding of directory services.
  • Limited Windows Integration
    Integration with Windows environments may not be as seamless compared to solutions specifically designed for Windows, such as Active Directory.
  • User Interface
    The administrative user interface may not be as intuitive or mature as some commercial alternatives, potentially increasing the learning curve for new administrators.
  • Documentation Quality
    While documentation exists, it might not always be comprehensive or up-to-date, which can pose challenges for deployment and troubleshooting.
  • Resource Intensive
    The server can be resource-intensive, requiring substantial system resources for high-performance situations, which may be a concern for larger deployments.

OpenLDAP videos

What is OpenLDAP

389 Directory Server videos

Central Authentication with 389 Directory Server - I

Category Popularity

0-100% (relative to OpenLDAP and 389 Directory Server)
Cloud Computing
62 62%
38% 38
Identity And Access Management
Identity Provider
61 61%
39% 39
Cloud Storage
64 64%
36% 36

User comments

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Social recommendations and mentions

Based on our record, OpenLDAP seems to be more popular. It has been mentiond 2 times since March 2021. We are tracking product recommendations and mentions on various public social media platforms and blogs. They can help you identify which product is more popular and what people think of it.

OpenLDAP mentions (2)

389 Directory Server mentions (0)

We have not tracked any mentions of 389 Directory Server yet. Tracking of 389 Directory Server recommendations started around Mar 2021.

What are some alternatives?

When comparing OpenLDAP and 389 Directory Server, you can also consider the following products

FreeIPA - FreeIPA is an integrated security information management solution combining Linux (Fedora), 389...

Samba - Samba serves as an open source alternative to the traditional domain controller offered by Microsoft.

Microsoft Active Directory - Active Directory is a special-purpose database \ 8212; it is not a registry replacement.

Univention Corporate Server - Univention Corporate Server UCS with Active Directory functions and App Center is the cost-efficient and popular successor to Microsoft's server solutions.

Keycloak - Open Source Identity and Access Management for modern Applications and Services.

ApacheDS - ApacheDS™ is an extensible and embeddable directory server entirely written in Java, which has been...