Method and data format for exchanging data between a java system database entry and an ldap directory service

Abstract

Methods, data formats, and computer program products are disclosed for exchanging configuration data between a configuration server schema residing on a configuration server and a network directory service. The exchange of data is significantly enhanced through the use of an extension to a network directory service enabling a rapid mapping between a directory service attribute and a configuration server property. A directory service entry includes multiple shadow attributes where each shadow attribute corresponds to a particular directory service attribute. The particular directory service attribute, in turn, has a corresponding property in the configuration server. The extension also includes a correspondence or path matching file that contains matches between directory service addresses and configuration server location identifier or paths. Through the use of the shadwo attributes and the path matching file, configuration data can be exchanged efficiently and rapidly between a configuration server and a network directory service.