Create OpenLDAP Address Book in CentOS 7

Learn how to create an OpenLDAP Address Book in CentOS 7 with our step-by-step guide. Set up and manage a centralized directory of contacts for efficient access and organization.. #centlinux #linux #openldap

What is OpenLDAP Address Book?

OpenLDAP Address Book is a central database where users can search for email addresses, telephone numbers, addresses, etc. In this post, we will create a Global Address book with OpenLDAP 2.4 Server and access it through Mozilla Thunderbird.

We have already configured a LDAP Server. Therefore, I am skipping the steps of configuring a LDAP Server. However, if you missed it then please follow my previous post “Configure Remote Authentication Server using OpenLDAP 2.4”.

Linux Server Specification

The Same Server that I used in my previous posts “Configure Remote Authentication Server using OpenLDAP 2.4” and “OpenLDAP Administration using phpLDAPAdmin”.

Create OpenLDAP Address Book

Checkout the current structure of our LDAP Directory via phpLDAPAdmin console i.e. http://ldapserver.itlab.com/phpldapadmin

We must add the inetorgperson schema to our LDAP Directory, because we require its objectclasses for our Addressbook entries.

Note: Since I am working on a already configured LDAP Server, therefore I am not adding other core schemas. However, if you are configuring the LDAP Server from scratch, then you must add the cosine schema as well.

# ldapadd -Y EXTERNAL -H ldapi:/// -D "cn=config" -f /etc/openldap/schema/inetorgperson.ldif
SASL/EXTERNAL authentication started
SASL username: gidNumber=0+uidNumber=0,cn=peercred,cn=external,cn=auth
SASL SSF: 0
adding new entry "cn=inetorgperson,cn=schema,cn=config"

Let’s create the organizationUnit and add some entries therein.

# cd ~/ldap
# cat > addressbook.ldif << EOF
> dn: ou=AddressBook,dc=itlab,dc=com
> objectClass: organizationalUnit
> ou: AddressBook
>
> dn: cn=Ahmer M,ou=AddressBook,dc=itlab,dc=com
> cn: Ahmer M
> gn: Ahmer
> sn: M
> mail: ahmer@itlab.com
> objectClass: top
> objectClass: inetOrgPerson
>
> dn: cn=Muhammad Ali,ou=AddressBook,dc=itlab,dc=com
> cn: Muhammad Ali
> gn: Muhammad
> sn: Ali
> mail: m_ali@itlab.com
> objectClass: top
> objectClass: inetOrgPerson
>
> dn: cn=Waseem Hussain,ou=AddressBook,dc=itlab,dc=com
> cn: Waseem Hussain
> gn: Waseem
> sn: Hussain
> mail: waseem@itlab.com
> objectClass: top
> objectClass: inetOrgPerson
>
> dn: cn=Ashfaq Khan,ou=AddressBook,dc=itlab,dc=com
> cn: Ashfaq Khan
> gn: Ashfaq
> sn: Khan
> mail: ashfaq@itlab.com
> objectClass: top
> objectClass: inetOrgPerson
> EOF

# ldapadd -x -W -D "cn=ldapadm,dc=itlab,dc=com" -f addressbook.ldif
Enter LDAP Password:
adding new entry "ou=AddressBook,dc=itlab,dc=com"
adding new entry "cn=Ahmer Mansoor,ou=AddressBook,dc=itlab,dc=com"
adding new entry "cn=Muhammad Ali,ou=AddressBook,dc=itlab,dc=com"
adding new entry "cn=Waseem Hussain,ou=AddressBook,dc=itlab,dc=com"
adding new entry "cn=Ashfaq Khan,ou=AddressBook,dc=itlab,dc=com"

Now, take a look at our LDAP Directory.

We can add as much entries as we like in the same way. However, for the sake of demonstration, I am adding only 4 entries.

Configure Mozilla Thunderbird

Now our Global Addressbook is configured successfully. Let’s use it in an email client. I am demonstrating it using Mozilla Thunderbird.

Because it is out of scope to configure an email account, therefore, I am skipping it. Click on Address book button at toolbar.

Go to File > New > LDAP Directory.

Add our LDAP Directory as follows:

Now, our Global Addressbook has been added in Thunderbird.

Our OpenLDAP Global Address book has been configured successfully.

Conclusion

Creating an OpenLDAP Address Book in CentOS 7 centralizes your contacts for streamlined access and management. By following this guide, you should now have an organized directory ready to enhance your workflow.

For further customization or assistance with your OpenLDAP setup, I offer professional services tailored to optimize your address book configuration. Explore my Fiverr services for more details: Linux System Administrator. Let’s ensure your directory is efficient and seamlessly integrated!

Simplify contact management with your OpenLDAP Address Book on CentOS 7 today!