h3.Definition: Backend
A Directory Server backend provides a repository for storing data and a set of logic for interacting with that data. A backend will typically contain some kind of [database|Definition -- Database] and may maintain a set of [indexes|Definition -- Index] that allows the backend to quickly locate entries for various operations. All backends will have the following qualities:
* A backend ID, which uniquely identifies that backend among all other backends in the server.
* A set of one or more base [DNs|Definition -- Distinguished Name] that indicate the data that the backend holds.
* A writability mode, which indicates whether the backend will accept write operations.
The logic provided by the backend includes:
* A method for determining whether a given entry exists, based on its DN
* A method for retrieving an entry, based on its DN
* A method of adding a new entry to the database (as part of processing an [LDAP add operation|Definition -- LDAP Add Operation]).
* A method for removing an existing entry from the database (as part of processing an [LDAP delete operation|Definition -- LDAP Delete Operation]).
* A method for replacing an entry in the database (as part of processing an [LDAP modify operation|Definition -- LDAP Modify Operation]).
* A method for renaming an entry in the database (as part of processing an [LDAP modify DN operation|Definition -- LDAP Modify DN Operation]).
* A method for processing an [LDAP search operation|Definition -- LDAP Search Operation].
* A method for exporting the contents of the database in [LDIF|Definition -- LDAP Data Interchange Format] form.
* A method for importing data in [LDIF|Definition -- LDAP Data Interchange Format] form into the database.
* A method for performing a [backup|Definition -- Backup] of the data.
* A method for performing a [restore|Definition -- Restore] of a previous backup.
A Directory Server backend provides a repository for storing data and a set of logic for interacting with that data. A backend will typically contain some kind of [database|Definition -- Database] and may maintain a set of [indexes|Definition -- Index] that allows the backend to quickly locate entries for various operations. All backends will have the following qualities:
* A backend ID, which uniquely identifies that backend among all other backends in the server.
* A set of one or more base [DNs|Definition -- Distinguished Name] that indicate the data that the backend holds.
* A writability mode, which indicates whether the backend will accept write operations.
The logic provided by the backend includes:
* A method for determining whether a given entry exists, based on its DN
* A method for retrieving an entry, based on its DN
* A method of adding a new entry to the database (as part of processing an [LDAP add operation|Definition -- LDAP Add Operation]).
* A method for removing an existing entry from the database (as part of processing an [LDAP delete operation|Definition -- LDAP Delete Operation]).
* A method for replacing an entry in the database (as part of processing an [LDAP modify operation|Definition -- LDAP Modify Operation]).
* A method for renaming an entry in the database (as part of processing an [LDAP modify DN operation|Definition -- LDAP Modify DN Operation]).
* A method for processing an [LDAP search operation|Definition -- LDAP Search Operation].
* A method for exporting the contents of the database in [LDIF|Definition -- LDAP Data Interchange Format] form.
* A method for importing data in [LDIF|Definition -- LDAP Data Interchange Format] form into the database.
* A method for performing a [backup|Definition -- Backup] of the data.
* A method for performing a [restore|Definition -- Restore] of a previous backup.