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Update Novell eDirectory from a SQL Server database

  • July 8, 2013 at 8:38 am

    #277101

    I'm really sorry, here's yet another of my terrible questions. I apologise in advance!

    I've been asked to provide some information from the HR database to update our Novell eDirectory system, the idea being that when a new starter starts, their email account etc. can be set up automatically. Likewise when they leave, their network account can be closed automatically, etc. (Yes, we're a good 10 years behind everybody else.) If they change their name, they want this to be reflected too. You get the idea.

    I am told by our directory person that eDirectory 'only works on updates', so I've been asked to write a series of triggers such that any time the data in a number of fields (about 25 so far!) is updated, these changes will be written to what they refer to as 'intermediate tables' (actually a separate database) in the form of some sort of event log which eDirectory can then check against.

    I don't know anything about eDirectory and I have no way of knowing that what I'm being told is right. I very strongly do NOT want to use triggers for this. They're a nightmare to maintain, and it's very hard to diagnose problems when they fail. I'd much rather grant access as a view, or maybe even a scheduled export of data, but I'm being told that eDirectory can't cope with this. I have no way of knowing if this is right or not; does anybody here know, please? Surely there must be a way to refresh the data in eDirectory every day?

    Thanks in advance.

  • July 8, 2013 at 10:29 am

    #1630509

    How does the eDirectory process work? Something there must be reading data from SQL Server. Once you understand how the process works (maybe use Trace), you can move forward.

    duplicating this information in other tables (or views), isn't a big deal and shouldn't scare you. This isn't a big deal for triggers, though I understand your hesitance. you could also use some sort of ETL (SSIS) process to move changes to a new table ,if you can detect them.

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