Using the LDAP standard, developers can transform their Active Directory and NDS directories into truly global, multi-platform solutions that can evolve to meet virtually any requirement. In this book, Bruce Greenblatt -- one of the world"s leading directory experts -- shows exactly how to develop custom LDAP solutions in both Active Directory and NDS environments. Greenblatt begins with a concise explanation of the LDAP standard and its role as a standardized, Internet-enabled directory solution. He outlines the key principles of LDAP schema design and Directory Information Tree (DIT) structure; then reviews LDAP"s essential security and access control capabilities. Next, he walks step-by-step through utilizing Microsoft Active Directory and Novell Directory Services as platforms for LDAP-enabled applications, and presents several complete application case studies -- including storage management, e-commerce, and a Web-based chat room. The book includes detailed coverage of using Java servlets and applets to build LDAP solutions; walks through the installation of LDAP applications; and, finally, reviews LDAP limitations developers must know about.