Widespread acceptance and implementation of Internet and intranet technologies have made networks much larger and more complex than in the past. These larger networks, in turn, have created a greater need for a comprehensive directory service and a standard method for accessing information located in the directory.
The Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) is a developing Internet communications protocol that allows client applications to access directory information. It is based on the X.500 Directory Access Protocol (DAP) but is less complex than a traditional client and can be used with any other directory service that follows the X.500 standard.
The most popular current use of LDAP is for allowing clients to access directory services that store and publish telephone numbers and e-mail addresses.
For more information about LDAP, refer to the following: