What is the Difference Between LDAP and AD?
🆚 Go to Comparative Table 🆚LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) and Active Directory (AD) are related to identity and access management (IAM), but they serve different purposes and have distinct characteristics.
LDAP:
- LDAP is a standard application protocol for querying and modifying directory services.
- It is not exclusive to any specific platform and works with various applications and operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and macOS.
- LDAP's primary use is to query and modify directory servers, authenticate users, and maintain access control.
- It is often used as a tool for querying, maintaining, and authenticating access to Active Directory.
Active Directory:
- AD is a proprietary product developed by Microsoft, providing a database and services for identity and access management (IAM).
- It is exclusive to Windows environments and works well with other Microsoft products, such as SharePoint and Exchange.
- The primary usage of Active Directory is to store user information, provide authentication, and allow administrators to manage groups, users, and policies.
- AD excels at managing Windows clients and servers and is more secure than LDAP due to its tight integration with domain-joined Windows devices.
In summary, LDAP is a protocol used for querying and modifying directory services, while Active Directory is a directory services database developed by Microsoft. LDAP is used to access and maintain directory servers, while AD provides a database and services for identity and access management in Windows environments.
Comparative Table: LDAP vs AD
Here is a table comparing the differences between LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) and Active Directory (AD):
| Feature | LDAP | AD |
|---|---|---|
| Full Name | Lightweight Directory Access Protocol | Active Directory |
| Function | Protocol for querying and modifying directory services | Directory Services Provider (Directory Server) |
| Standard | Open-Source | Proprietary |
| Supported Systems | Cross-Platform: Windows, Linux, macOS | For Windows users and applications |
| Primary Use | Querying and modifying items in Directory Services Providers | Providing authentication, group and user management, policy administration, and other services in the form of a directory database |
LDAP is an open-source protocol that allows users to query and modify information in directory services, such as Active Directory. It is a lightweight and cross-platform solution suitable for small- and medium-sized organizations. On the other hand, Active Directory is a proprietary directory service developed by Microsoft that runs on Windows servers. It offers various services, including authentication, access control, user and group management, and policy administration.
While LDAP is the core protocol behind Active Directory, it can also be used to query other directory databases that support it, such as OpenLDAP and FreeIPA. Active Directory and LDAP work together to provide secure access to network resources, with LDAP facilitating searches in Active Directory and controlling access to information based on multiple levels of permissions.