We first introduced the Active Directory/LDAP Wizard with the release of ownCloud 6 to make integration with existing user directories easier. With the release of ownCloud 8.1 we have made improvements to the wizard and the backend connector that now make it even more reliable and robust than ever, with enhanced Admin capabilities and advanced configuration options.
Updates appear throughout the LDAP/AD connector, and range from new filter selection widgets and optional configuration validation tests in the wizard, to the removal of the file-based cache and the introduction of a memberOf capability in the connector. Why are these last two important? Performance. With the removal of the file-based cache, users have to configure the memory cache in the config.php file, but this provides faster access to LDAP and AD related information in a scalable manner. And the implementation of the virtual memberOf attribute helps users to determine group associations and has sped up the loading of the Users page.
We continuously work with our customers to understand how they want and need to integrate ownCloud with LDAP and AD instances, and keep this in mind as we prioritize and develop updates. And because we know that no two user directories are the same and no two customers use them the same way, the new enhancements are designed with this in mind, making the setup simpler and the interactions faster than ever.
Want to learn more about how ownCloud works with LDAP and AD? Be sure to also check out this blog from ownCloud’s own LDAP developers on “5 Performance Tips for using ownCloud’s LDAP backend.”
ownCloud 8.1 Enterprise Edition is scheduled to be release August 11th.
