Question

LDAP in a Windows Environment

Asked by: coderblues

I am looking for a way to implement LDAP in a Windows network.  We have SBS 2003 R2 installed although we do not have Exchange configured - we outsource our email and this is a compliance issue that would be difficult to circumvent.

1. Is it possible to still run an LDAP server so that contacts can be shared through the network (Outlook, Thuderbird, etc)?
2. How are contacts entered into the LDAP server?  Is there a frontend that can be used?
3. Is there a better solution than an LDAP server?  Everything I have read states that LDAP is perfect for sharing contacts.  However I do not see anyway to configure Outlook or Thunderbird to connect to the LDAP server and be able to add, let alone update, contact information.

Thanks.

<edit> sorry I don't know why 'Computer Scanners' zone is listed </edit>

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Asked On
2009-09-22 at 13:15:48ID24752943
Tags

ldap

,

sbs 2003 R2

,

windows

Topics

Computer Scanners

,

Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)

,

SBS Small Business Server

Participating Experts
2
Points
500
Comments
3

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Answers

 

by: ormerodrutterPosted on 2009-09-23 at 03:20:18ID: 25401401

Yes you can still use Exchange for internal email purpose.

Each user need an account with an active mailbox, so in client machine you configure Outlook to point to the relevent mailbox.

When you mentioned sharing contacts I assume it is customer contact info you want to share. The best way is to do this in Public Folders, giving every user the rights to modify the address book.

Is this what you are looking for?

 

by: exx1976Posted on 2009-09-23 at 08:44:42ID: 25404529

Active Directory can be queried using LDAP, so you already have what you need.

You should be able to simply create Contact objects for the email addresses/people that you want listed in the address books.

As far as configuring them:

(Outlook, sorry, never used Thunderbird)

Open Tools -> E-mail Accounts -> Add a new directory or & -> Internet Directory Service (LDAP)
Put the server name and click More Settings& button
Rename display name (optional)
Click Search tab
Put Search base: ou=People,o=domain, o=isp


HTH,
exx

 

by: coderbluesPosted on 2009-10-08 at 08:43:03ID: 31638804

Looking for Thunderbird solution as well.

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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