Tag Archives: OpenLDAP install

Enable the production of Openldap Log file

Goal: In this 3rd part of the «OpenLDAP tutorial», we will enable the production of Log. To do that we must change default configuration of the server. The production of OpenLDAP log is very important for supervision and the proper use of this server. Prerequisite: The OpenLDAP server is installed with its default configuration. The installation has been done on GNU/Linux Debian, Ubuntu OS or compliant system. cf. part 1 and part 2 of this «OpenLDAP tutorial» series.

1. Enable the production of server Logs

sudo ldapsearch -Y external -H ldapi:/// -b cn=config "(objectClass=olcGlobal)" olcLogLevel -LLL > slapdlog.ldif
This command creates the slapdlog.ldif file whose content is the result of the LDAP query executed by ldapsearch utility: 
dn: cn=config
olcLogLevel: none
The first line contains the DN (distinguished name) who is the unique identifier of the entry. The second line contains the unique attribute requested by the query with value: none. The production of log files is disabled by default. Modify that file so that its content becomes: 
dn: cn=config
changeType: modify
replace: olcLogLevel
olcLogLevel: stats
Now, this LDIF (Lightweight data interchange format) contains a modify command: the second line says we want to change the entry, the third line indicates that it is a replacement of the content of the olcLogLevel attribute and the fourth shows the new value of this attribute. stats level allow generate logs of connections, operations and results. This is perfect for daily monitoring. To run the command file on the server, we use: 
sudo ldapmodify -Y external -H ldapi:/// -f slapdlog.ldif
If we get the message: modifying entry “cn=config”, the operation was successful. To check the result: 
sudo ldapsearch -Y external -H ldapi:/// -b cn=config "(objectClass=olcGlobal)" olcLogLevel
This new setting is immediately considered by the server and no reboot is required. The server sends the produced Logs, to the system log management mechanism. This is rsyslog for recent versions of Debian / Ubuntu OS.

2. Consideration of OpenLDAP log in rsyslog

Create a configuration file in the folder /etc/rsyslog.d/, choose any name: 10-slapd.conf for example. The number in the name classifies files in this folder. This file contains those settings: 
$template slapdtmpl,"[%$DAY%-%$MONTH%-%$YEAR% %timegenerated:12:19:date-rfc3339%] %app-name% %syslogseverity-text% %msg%\n"
local4.*    /var/log/slapd.log;slapdtmpl
The chosen name slapdtmpl, refers to a presentation format of the contents of the log file. For details on the template creations for rsyslog consult the manual: 
man rsyslog.conf
See, in particular the section TEMPLATES. Finally you must restart rsyslog for the new settings to take effect. 
service rsyslog restart

3. Test this functionality of the OpenLDAP server

Start a query and view the contents of the file /var/log/slapd.log : 
sudo ldapsearch -Y external -H ldapi:/// -b dc=ldaptuto,dc=net
sudo cat /var/log/slapd.log
You should have a fairly significant content that show the work done by the OpenLDAP server to produce the query result..]]>

OpenLDAP tutorial (2) – Modify the default settings

Goal: This«OpenLDAP tutorial» aims to show how to improve the basic server configuration viewed in OpenLDAP tutorial – Installation and basic configuration post. This reconfiguration allows to customize settings made by default in the installation procedure. This is a further step to prepare th server use in a real environment. Prerequisite: The OpenLDAP server is installed with its default configuration. The installation is  done on a host with Debian / Ubuntu OS or compliant. This reconfiguration must be made before filling the directory server with data. The reason is this will reset the database and set its contents to empty. This reconfiguration is done with the command: 

sudo dpkg-reconfigure slapd
Following this a series of screens appear and asks you to enter settings or make choices.

Reconfiguring OpenLDAP – step 1

openldap tutorial openldap ubuntuChoose <No> to start the reconfiguration.

Reconfiguring OpenLDAP – step 2

openldap tutorial By default, the domain name configured for the host machine is taken. Enter the domain name, this sets the DIT in the directory. In this example: dc=ldaptuto,dc=net

Reconfiguring OpenLDAP – step 3

openldap tutorial openldap ubuntuEnter the name of the organization, a label attached to the DIT in the directory. For information only.

Reconfiguring OpenLDAP – step 4

openldap tutorial openldap ubuntuPassword of the directory administrator who is cn=admin,dc=ldaptuto,dc=net. The administrator has all the rights and it is not subject to any restrictions set.

Reconfiguring OpenLDAP – step 5

openldap tutorial The Database type to use. OpenLDAP can work with many types of databases like BDB, HDB and MDB, which are proposed by the installation procedure. MDB is the recommended database. It is more compact and powerful than HDB and BDB. MDB works without any special configuration and allows you to rename a sub-set of the directory (any node) just like HDB.

Reconfiguring OpenLDAP – step 6

openldap tutorial openldap ubuntuBehavior when uninstalling and then purge the package slapd. Choose whether the data files to be deleted or not (<No> is more cautious, <Yes> is more efficient).

Reconfiguring OpenLDAP – step 7

openldap tutorial Choose <Yes>. The data files will moved from /var/lib/ldap to /var/backup.

Reconfiguring OpenLDAP – step 8 (if it apears)

openldap tutorial openldap ubuntuChoose <No>, unless there is a good reason (eg maintain compatibility with old system). Following this step, the directory server is reset and restarted.

Check the new setting

sudo ldapsearch -Y external -H ldapi:///  -b dc=ldaptuto,dc=net ↵

SASL/EXTERNAL authentication started
SASL username: gidNumber=0+uidNumber=0,cn=peercred,cn=external,cn=auth
SASL SSF: 0
# extended LDIF
#
# LDAPv3
# base <dc=ldaptuto,dc=net> with scope subtree
# filter: (objectclass=*)
# requesting: ALL
#

# ldaptuto.net
dn: dc=ldaptuto,dc=net
objectClass: top
objectClass: dcObject
objectClass: organization
o: OpenLDAP tutorial
dc: ldaptuto

# admin, ldaptuto.net
dn: cn=admin,dc=ldaptuto,dc=net
objectClass: simpleSecurityObject
objectClass: organizationalRole
cn: admin
description: LDAP administrator

# search result
search: 2
result: 0 Success

# numResponses: 3
# numEntries: 2
Noice the new DIT dc=ldaptuto,dc=net and its label o: OpenLDAP tutorial]]>