A directory service manages the creation, modification, and retrieval of information about network entities. As an alternative to sql.ini, Client-Library and Server-Library applications use a directory service to obtain information about servers.
The advantage of using a directory service is that you do not need to update multiple sql.ini files when a new server is added to your network or when a server moves to a new address.
Different platforms can use different directory service providers. The following table lists valid directory service providers for each platform:
Platform |
Windows Registry |
Novell NDS |
LDAP |
|---|---|---|---|
Microsoft Windows NT |
x |
x |
|
Microsoft Windows 2000 |
x |
x |
|
Microsoft Windows 2003 |
x |
x |
|
Microsoft Windows XP |
x |
x |
