In computing, a virtual directory or virtual directory server consists of software that offers a way to provide a consolidated view of user identities without having to construct an entire directory infrastructure. Implemented in the form of middle ware, a virtual directory operates as a lightweight service that operates between applications and identity-data repositories.

A virtual directory receives queries and directs them to the appropriate data sources. When the user data comes back, the directory presents the data to the client application as if it all had been stored in one place all along. This ability to reach into native disparate repositories makes virtual-directory technology ideal for consolidating data stored in a distributed environment.

As of 2009, virtual directory servers most commonly use the LDAP protocol.

Advantages of virtual directories

Virtual directories:

• provide faster deployment than available with synchronization
• leverage existing investments in security and high-availability for authoritative data-stores
• provide application-specific views of identity data which can help avoid the need to develop a master enterprise schema
• allow a single view of identity data without violating internal or external regulations governing identity data
• act as identity firewalls – preventing denial-of-service attacks on the primary data-stores and providing further security on access to sensitive data
• can reflect changes made to authoritative sources in real-time
• present a unified virtual view of user information stored across multiple systems so that it appears to reside in a single system
• secure all backend storage locations with a single security policy

Disadvantages

The major disadvantage is public perception of “push & pull technologies” which is the general classification of “virtual directories” depending on the nature of their deployment.

Virtual directories were initially designed and later deployed with “Push technologies” in mind, which also contravened with “Privacy laws” in the USA. The laws were not adaptable to the online digital structural paradigm when they were formulated. However, “availability of information by consent” clause in International law made “Pull” technologies more acceptable over time. Push technologies however still remain controversial.

Related Articles

Active Directory virtualization best practices
Business Continuity and Disaster Recovery: How Virtualization can help?

Source : Virtual_directory