In an earlier look at LDAP, we set up a simple LDAP-based authentication system. We configured client machines to retrieve authentication information from a server running OpenLDAP. Now let's go further by enabling encryption and looking at how to make user modifications through LDAP.

If client machines are to authenticate through LDAP, administrators must make sure user changes are reflected within the LDAP server. Most user management utilities on a client system expect to find information in files like /etc/passwd and /etc/group. If such information is only available through LDAP, utilities may complain about unknown users. To make changes in these cases, an administrator must modify the corresponding LDAP entries. While utilities such as phpLDAPadmin can help with this task, you must know what you're doing if you're to use them effectively.

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