This course will not teach you everything you need to know before deploying the Directory Server in a mission-critical role.
| # What This Course Doesn't Cover
### Analysis & Planning Actual implementation of a directory service in a corporate environment is a complex undertaking which requires substantial planning. There are significant issues in the deployment process which are beyond the scope of this course. These topics are covered in great detail in a follow-up course offered by Netscape Learning, Directory Services: Analysis & Planning.
### Schema Extensions The underlying database used by the Directory Server has a fundamental structure called a schema. Version 4.0 of the Server comes with a general-purpose schema that is broad enough to cover most real world implementations. In some cases, however, the default schema will have to be modified to meet the needs of specific environments. The topic of schema extensions is not covered in this course.
### Database Replication Since all directory services depend heavily on the underlying database, situations often arise which require multiple copies of the database at different locations. Redundant databases offer benefits such as backup capabilities and local administration. These features are highly desirable for large corporations with multiple sites or with substantial numbers of employees. Corporations with less than 1,000 employees who all work at a single geographical location may not need to use this feature. The important topic of database replicatio n is covered only briefly in this course.
### LDAP Programming Directory services are not intended to be used directly by employees; they are a type of network service used by other network-based applications such as email or network printing. Customized applications produced "in-house" must be modified in order to make them "LDAP-enabled". This means someone will have to do some programming in a language such as C or Perl. The details of LDAP programming are not covered in this course.
### Integration With Other Services This course won't cover integrating directory services with other network services such as messaging systems or calendar services. Integration with Netscape's Messaging Server is covered in a follow-on course, Netscape Messaging Services: Analysis & Planing. More and more often directory services are being used in conjunction with servers that issue digital certificates. The integration of directory services with certificate services is covered in a follow-on course, Security Services: Analysis & Planning.

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