Re: Objectclass-Definitions

["Kurt D. Zeilenga" <Kurt@OpenLDAP.org>]

At 04:57 PM 10/3/99 +0200, Stefan Kiesow wrote:
>Hello,
>
>I have the following questions:
>
>First:
>------
>I need to built a new Objectclass to organize information about people of an
>organization.
>Therefore I would like to extend existing classes for my needs. Is it
>possible to do so? If yes, how do I have to derive a new class from an
>existing one and how can I extend it?

There are two approaches to extending existing classes for local
needs.  1) define a new object class that subclasses an appropriate
existing objectclass and add your attributes or 2) define an
auxiliary objectclass with just your attributes and mix it in as
needed.

Sugggests for how to do this with OpenLDAP can be found in our
FAQ.  http://www.openldap.org/faq/index.cgi?file=219   If you have
more questions specific to OpenLDAP software, please use post to
the OpenLDAP-software mailing list.

>Second:
>---------
>I've recognized, that for the Objectclass umichPerson many attributes are
>used, which I can't find in the slapd.at.conf files.
>Isn't it necessary to define all attributes I'd like to use for my purposes?

They are defined implicitly.  Unlisted attribute types default to cis.

>Third:
>------
>When I use such a self-constructed class, what about the attributes? When I
>use Netscape or Internet-Explorer's addressbook, the attributes cn, mail,
>etc. are used. Depends the use of these attributes also on the objectclass
>in which these attributes are declared? Or do Netscape and other
>applications only look for these attributnames regardless the class they
>belong to?

Depends on the application.  If the application does a
search based on objectclass, such as (objectclass=person), then
only those entries that belong to that objectclass will be listed.
If the application does a search for 'cn=*', the listed
objectclasses of the entry have no effect upon the search.

Kurt