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"Connect to Directory" in Server.app

Hello. I'm trying to do something fairly simple — allow users from an external LDAP server to access services on my Lion server. Following Apple's instructions, I can't find the "Connect to Directory" choice in the Manage menu of Server.app. I always start by turning off OD by using Server Admin to configure as "Standalone Directory". This is what I see in Server.app after doing that.

User uploaded file

Apple's instructions say if the Manage Network Accounts option appears, you need to first set up the server to host network accounts. So I click that option, which seems the be the same thing as creating an OD Master using Server Admin, as far as I can tell.

Then I try to add a new user. For some reason, the "type" dropdown list exists, and lets me choose "Imported user from directory", even though I haven't setup any other directory server. Of course, when I search for a username, it finds nothing. Apple's instructions say to now choose "Connect to Directory" from the Manage menu, but that option doesn't show up. I only have what shows in the screenshot above, sans "Manage network accounts" now. How can I get this to appear?

Posted on May 5, 2012 5:48 PM

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2 replies

May 5, 2012 9:16 PM in response to spookybathtub

OS X server has very specific uses for Open Directory.

I suggest that you create an Open Directory Master. Along with the it's included accounts.

There's no harm in it, and it will still allow you to connect to other directories.

Then connect to an external server like so:


Open up the Directory Utility App. It's in /System/Library/CoreServices/

Double click the LDAPv3 text.

Click the new button.


If desired, click the manual button and set things up till you're blue in the face.

Go back to the server.app and you should be able to import those users now.

HTH

-Graham

"Connect to Directory" in Server.app

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