1.5. Summary

In this chapter, we discussed the role Directory Services plays in a networked computing environment. That is, the Directory Services act as the unifying glue, allowing user and group membership to be utilized across an unlimited number of clients. Directory services are the core of any enterprise organization; without the ability to centrally manage users, support requirements would balloon. Directory services enable a group of otherwise ad -hoc computers to operate with similar parameters. They enable centralized authentication, allowing users from multiple computers and multiple platforms to authenticate against a single database, creating a more user-friendly and ultimately more secure system.

In the next chapter, we will further explore directory services, with a specific focus on integrating OS X client desktops with Apple's Open Directory platform. Later, in Chapter 3, we will discuss integrating OS X client desktops with Microsoft's Active Directory system.