openLDAP vs.mySQL

[Carlo Prestopino]

Hi all,

this is a "theoretical" post.

As written in the object: LDAP or mySQL in the backend for a remote access
control system?

I've seen that that for remote access control, e.g. Wi-Fi prepaid access
solution, it is widely used freeRADIUS+captive portal+mySQL.

There are several implementation of capitve portals, but they all do the
same thing: act as NAS towards RADIUS providing AAA attributes.

User data are stored in the backend in a database, but for usage
characteristics this database should be a directory server (LDAP server);
such a solution, in fact, requires features typical for a directory server:
optimization for read operation, distributed model for storage of
information, advanced search capabilities. So the best solution should be
LDAP (openLDAP) for users' data and SQL (mySQL) for accounting data (these
data are overwritten so number of write operations are almost equal to
number of read operations). 

Despite this, I've seen that LDAP is not widely used. Is this for its
complexity or are there deeper reasons that suggest to use SQL database for
both (user data, accounting) purposes? Does anybody have links that might
help to build a system made using this architecture? 

 

Regards,

Carlo

 

 

 

 

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