LDAP - Leightweight Directory Access Protocoll

LDAP is a slimmed version of the Directory Access Protocoll (DAP). Its purpose is the communication between Directories that are based upon LDAP, called LDAP Servers. LDAP contains only the most commonly used functions of DAP and is based directly on TCP/IP. LDAP Directory Services are mostly used to manage user data, such as authentification in Email, Web or Operating systems, or in the form of centralised address books.

Source: Florian Löffler, SA: Entwicklung und Implementierung einer Visualisierungslösung für LDAP Access Controls, Erlangen 2009.