Google Postini Directory Sync Configuration Guide - Manual (Page 5)

Introduction to Directory Sync 5
Introduction to Directory Sync
Chapter 1
About Directory Synchronization
The email protection service is a managed service which filters messages,
protecting your mail flow from spam, viruses, and attacks. The service stores a list
of users, to allow each user to have custom quarantine and mail filter settings.
With Directory Sync, the email protection service can contact your directory server
to collect your user list information. Directory Sync will add, delete or move users
so that the registered users in the email protection service match the registered
users on your directory server.
Directory Sync connects to your directory server securely, using standard XML
technology. Some setup is required to enable Directory Sync to connect to your
directory server. This guide describes the software and settings needed for
compatibility with Directory Sync.
Installation Introduction
To install Directory Sync, you’ll need to set up your network to allow Directory
Sync to connect to a server on your network. This can be a new or existing server,
so long as the server is accessible from the Internet. You’ll need to install and a
few components on this server. These components are freely available from your
directory server vendor. Directory Sync uses the following technologies:
• DSML, Directory Services Markup Language, a component to translate LDAP
information to standard XML.
• SSL, Secure Sockets Layer, a secure means of transmitting sensitive data
through the Internet.
• Basic Authentication, a standard way to authenticate administrators on your
directory server with a user name and password.
Once you’ve enabled these components, you’ll collect information from your
directory server. Directory Sync uses this information to contact your server and
import settings.