A
context is a set of name-to-object bindings.
A name in one context object can be bound to another context object (called a subcontext) that has the same naming convention.
A naming system is a connected set of contexts of the same type (they have the same naming convention) and provides a common set
of operations.
For example, a system that implements the DNS is a naming system. A system that communicates using the LDAP is a naming system.
A naming system provides a naming service to its customers for performing naming-related operations. A naming service is accessed through its own interface. For example, the DNS offers a naming service that maps machine names to IP addresses. The LDAP offers a naming service that maps LDAP names to LDAP entries. A file system offers a naming service that maps filenames to files and directories.
A namespace is the set of names in a naming system. For example, the UNIX file system has a namespace consisting of all of the names of files and directories in that file system. The DNS namespace contains names of DNS domains and entries. The LDAP namespace contains names of LDAP entries.
A directory object represents an object in a computing environment. A directory object can be used, for example, to represent a printer, a person, a computer, or a network. A directory object contains attributes that describe the object that it represents.
A directory is a connected set of directory objects. A directory service is a service that provides operations for creating, adding, removing, and modifying the attributes associated with objects in a directory. The service is accessed through its own interface.
A name in one context object can be bound to another context object (called a subcontext) that has the same naming convention.
A naming system is a connected set of contexts of the same type (they have the same naming convention) and provides a common set
of operations.
For example, a system that implements the DNS is a naming system. A system that communicates using the LDAP is a naming system.
A naming system provides a naming service to its customers for performing naming-related operations. A naming service is accessed through its own interface. For example, the DNS offers a naming service that maps machine names to IP addresses. The LDAP offers a naming service that maps LDAP names to LDAP entries. A file system offers a naming service that maps filenames to files and directories.
A namespace is the set of names in a naming system. For example, the UNIX file system has a namespace consisting of all of the names of files and directories in that file system. The DNS namespace contains names of DNS domains and entries. The LDAP namespace contains names of LDAP entries.
A directory object represents an object in a computing environment. A directory object can be used, for example, to represent a printer, a person, a computer, or a network. A directory object contains attributes that describe the object that it represents.
A directory is a connected set of directory objects. A directory service is a service that provides operations for creating, adding, removing, and modifying the attributes associated with objects in a directory. The service is accessed through its own interface.