How Active Directory Differs from LDAP in Practice

LDAP and Active Directory are just 2 popular methods that can be used for the securing of authorization and user authentication. However, which is to choose and is there a possibility of combining both of them? In this article, we will share some major differences between these approaches so you will have a clearer picture.

LDAP vs. Active Directory: Key Differences

The major difference between these 2 methods is that LDAP is a standard app protocol, while Active Directory is more of a proprietary product. Active directory gives services/databases while LDAP is a great interface for communicating.

The confusion between these methods starts because they both can be used for the storage of identity data. So, let’s dive into major descriptions of these methods and their pluses as well as minuses.

Understanding LDAP and Active Directory

These legacy methods have been used for quite some time, to be more preсise since the middle of the 1990s. Despite such a long history of functioning, they are still extremely popular. There is a lot of confusion and some users can use these terms even interchangeably or just mix them together like “LDAP Active Directory” and other formulations.

Overview of Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP)

Lightweight Directory Access Protocol or if shortly LDAP is a lightweight protocol that is necessary for locating specific data about individuals, resources, and organizations on the network. This method is considered to be lightweight because it uses less code.

This method gives a framework for data organizing within the directory. LDAP has good speed optimization so it gives the possibility to search in huge databases way quicker. The major advantage of this method is awesome scalability so that huge businesses can expand their needs.

What is Active Directory (AD)?

AD is a propriety directory specifically created for the Windows domain networks. This method includes different services as well as databases which are necessary for the proper authorization/authentication of the users. The database that is called a directory might contain the users' phone numbers, names, and also credentials.

The storage of the information is greatly simplified by AD. Also, it is possible to switch to single sign-on so that users can access several resources with the same credentials. Moreover, Active Directory uses authentication and provides access only based on the authorization of certain users.

Comparing LDAP and Active Directory: Similarities

AD is a powerful application that stores data in a centralized way and gives a powerful access management solution. Users can access the necessary resources with single credentials and that is quite convenient.

LDAP protocol on the other hand is necessary for establishing communication with directory services. And when these 2 methods are combined together, LDAP can help with authentication as well. This can be achieved by binding to the database.

According to the default characteristics, AD has Kerberos protocol which is considered to be more advanced. However, companies can change these default settings and use LDAP instead. With LDAP the process of authentication can be much easier and way faster.  

Pros and Cons of LDAP and Active Directory

To understand these two methods even more, let’s review their major drawbacks and benefits so you have a clearer picture of what suits your needs the most.

Benefits

Here are the main pluses of LDAP usage:

• The method is way faster, lightweight, and what is more importantly scalable.
• This is a fully ratified protocol.
• The method is extremely popular in all the various industries.
• The flexibility of architecture and open-source nature of the protocol.

Some of the pluses of Active Directory usage are:

• The variability of versions covers the needs of lots of clients.
• Easiness of usage and simplicity of management.
• Auditing and data encryption are included in the features.
• Stronger security compared with other services.

Drawbacks

Drawbacks of LDAP:

• This method is not the best one for web-based and cloud apps.
• Technical skills are necessary for the proper maintenance/setup.
• Was created a long time ago.

As for the Active Directory, we can specify such minuses of usage as:

• Prices for the proper maintenance/setup can be higher.
• It is only suitable for Windows environments.
• Limitations in the AD legacy.
• AD is responsible for managing the entire network so in case something is wrong the network will go down.

Practical Applications of LDAP and Active Directory

Now, let’s discuss some practical usage cases, so you will understand where to apply each of these methods.

Initially, LDAP was created as a protocol that functioned in UNIX-like environments, but very soon the situation shifted. So, now a wide range of apps and OSs are available for the usage of LDAP. Here are a couple of apps that support LDAP: Docker, Kubernetes, and OpenVPN. Also, LDAP is a great choice for the authenticating and maintaining of AD.

AD is not as flexible as the previously discussed variant and only works with Windows. Active Directory will perfectly suit those who need to manage servers/clients and expect it to function well with Microsoft products. AD is considered to be a more secure option, because of the tight integration of domain-joined devices.

Choosing Between LDAP and Active Directory

LDAP is a great option for businesses that work with a huge number of clients that need authentication. Because of its scalability, it can quickly expand at any point. Millions of subscribed users are usually in the telecommunication or other similarly huge industries and LDAP is a perfect variant for them.

Those organizations and businesses that prioritize safety and compliance would rather orient towards the choice of the Active Directory. Governmental organizations and financial institutions prefer this Windows-based architecture.

For hybrid and cloud environments, both these options aren’t good ones so you should better search for something else.

Enhance Access Management Efficiency

There is a clear difference between Active Directory and LDAP and specific user cases for both methods. That’s why, it is better to select one that works for your case or combine both these methods to enhance access management.