(ITS#6531) Modify updateref to generate referrals on the backend

[ryans@aweber.com]

Full_Name: Ryan Steele
Version: 2.4.18
OS: Ubuntu Server
URL: ftp://ftp.openldap.org/incoming/
Submission from: (NULL) (207.106.239.81)


Per conversation on the #openldap IRC channel on Freenode with Howard Chu, it
has been deemed appropriate to modify the behavior of updateref to answer
referrals on the backend.  This would allow one to use updateref to
automatically chase referrals for individual backends, instead of it being all
or nothing.  Here is the tail end of the channel conversation:


<hyc> when you configure an updateref on a backend, that referral is only
generated in the frontend so putting the overlay on the database, misses it...

<rgsteele> Well, I am intending to set an updateref on that backend

<hyc> then you have a problem

<rgsteele> Hm, so you can't do automatic referrals on individual backends then?

<rgsteele> That was my original question, or at least the intent of it.

<hyc> not using updateref, no

<rgsteele> Does your response imply there's another way?

<hyc> probably we should fix updateref to be generated at the backend level

<rgsteele> That would be good - I'd be happy to write tests or something to help
with that.

<hyc> the "other way" is the normal referral mechanism - using referral entries
inside a database

<hyc> but like I said, updateref is a relic, we've carried it forward without
really adapting it

<hyc> probably should file an ITS about this

<rgsteele> Interesting, I wasn't aware of that method. I'll have to do some
research on that - thanks! Also, is there anything I can do to help get the
process of fixing updateref to generate referrals on the backend?

<rgsteele> I can file the ITS if you like?

<hyc> go ahead