Novell Directory Services (NDS) (nowadays referred to as eDirectory) is a directory service software product released in 1996 by Novell for centrally managing access to resources on multiple servers and computers within a given network. Its direct competitors are: LDAP; Microsoft's Active Directory; Sun's Network Information Service; and X.500.

Using eDirectory, a network administrator can manage a database of multiple objects using a single graphical user interface. Objects that can be administered like this can be: files, users, user groups, printers, computers, applications, post offices, eDirectory replicas, LDAP information, antivirus scanners, database servers, and many other components found within the network. This framework, called the schema, is well-documented and is extensible to allow inclusion and administration of objects not envisioned by the creators.

eDirectory can be installed to run under Windows NT, Windows 2000, Windows Server 2003, Sun Microsystems's Solaris, Linux, IBM's AIX and HP's HP-UX as well as under Novell's own NetWare so that it can be used to easily administer a multi-platform network.

As of early 2005, eDirectory was still powering CNN's website. [1] Look at the bottom of their website.

External links

• http://www.novell.com/products/edirectory/