directory server

A directory server is a server that distributes data across resources in a client-server architecture and provides directory services( DS) and name services in networks.

Since the failure of a directory server renders the entire network inoperable, networks use multiple directory servers with replicated data, of which a backup server takes over the function of the failed one in the event of a failure.

The best-known cross-vendor naming service is the Domain NameSystem( DNS), in whose name serversdomain names are converted into IP addresses. Other vendor-independent directory services are Cell Directory Service( CDS) and Global Directory Service( GDS), while proprietary directory services include Active Directory Service( ADS) from Microsoft and NetWare Directory Service( NDS) from Novell.