Json2Ldap :: Access any LDAP directory with JSON + HTTP

Simple and efficient directory access. From anywhere on the web

Json2Ldap can turn any LDAP v3 compatible directory, such as MS Active Directory, Novell eDirectory or OpenLDAP into a web service accessible through simple JSON messages which are easily processed by web clients.

Any device on the web can tap into directories now.
Enables directory access straight from your JavaScript code running in the browser, in the spirit of modern Ajax / Mashup / Web 2.0 applications.
The quickest and most efficient way to incorporate a directory service into the cloud.

Central user authentication, directory search, retrieval and management of user and group information - all this and a lot more is possible now with simple JSON and HTTP.

Json2Ldap acting as an LDAP gateway

Json2Ldap acting as a universal LDAP gateway / proxy for your web apps

Some applications made possible by Json2Ldap

Interactive directory search with autocomplete, delivered through a web page or a custom web browser widget.	Web documents can be enriched with contact info on the fly using dynamic directory XHR requests.
Create original mashups from directory data such as names, office locations and organisational hiearchies.	Json2Ldap mediated authentication for any modern web app and web device.

To get a better feeling of Json2Ldap's unique utility check out the special online demo which presents three Ajax directory applications - an employee directory, a group + permissions resolver and an LDAP user authentication form.

You can also study the application tips for corporate web portals, SaaS / Cloud user provisioning, directory mashups and Adobe Air and Mozilla XULRunner rich internet apps (RIAs).

Deploy once, use for multiple web client apps and directory servers

Deploy the Json2Ldap gateway/proxy once within your organisation and it can serve as a hub for all your web client apps to access one or more back-end directory servers, such as MS Active Directory, Novell eDirectory, OpenDS or OpenLDAP. Having a central point for directory access from the web can save you significant amount of development, maintenance and administration time.

Configurable access and security

The Json2Ldap gateway/proxy may run in unrestricted mode or it may be configured to impose a certain connection policy:

Limit access to selected LDAP servers only
Limit access to selected LDAP operations type, such as read-only
Require TLS/SSL for incoming or outgoing connections
Require all clients to authenticate with LDAP "bind"
Impose connection quotas per client IP or bind DN
Expire LDAP connections after a specified idle or total connection time

Simple setup, configuration and use

Json2Ldap is delivered as a web application archive (WAR) ready for immediate deployment in a Java web server, such as Apache Tomcat, and is configured via the standard WEB-INF/web.xml web app descriptor. It accepts requests for LDAP operations through a standard JSON-RPC 2.0 / HTTP POST interface. You can get started literary in minutes!

JSON-RPC is an simple and efficient method for accessing services across the web. Here an example Json2Ldap request for an LDAP search operation and the corresponding response.

Example JSON directory search request
{ "method" : "ldap.search", "params" : { "CID" : "096032ca-ca91-47eb-a366-143832ff4a26", "baseDN" : "ou=people,dc=my,dc=org", "scope" : "SUB", "filter" : "(givenName=Alice)" }, "id" : "0001", "jsonrpc" : "2.0" }

Example JSON directory search request

{ 
  "method"  : "ldap.search",
  "params"  : { "CID" : "096032ca-ca91-47eb-a366-143832ff4a26",
                "baseDN" : "ou=people,dc=my,dc=org",
		"scope"  : "SUB",
		"filter" : "(givenName=Alice)" },
  "id"      : "0001",
  "jsonrpc" : "2.0" 
}

Example JSON directory search response
{ "result" : { "objectClass" : [ "top", "person", "inetOrgPerson" ], "uid" : [ "alice" ], "mail" : [ "alice@wonderland.net" ], "sn" : [ "Kingsleigh" ], "cn" : [ "Alice Kingsleigh" ], "initials" : [ "AK" ], "mobile" : [ "+44 755 123 456" ] }, "id" : "0001", "jsonrpc" : "2.0" }

Example JSON directory search response

{ 
  "result"  : { "objectClass" : [ "top", "person", "inetOrgPerson" ],
                "uid"         : [ "alice" ],
		"mail"        : [ "alice@wonderland.net" ],
		"sn"          : [ "Kingsleigh" ],
		"cn"          : [ "Alice Kingsleigh" ],
		"initials"    : [ "AK" ],
		"mobile"      : [ "+44 755 123 456" ] },
  "id"      : "0001",
  "jsonrpc" : "2.0"
}

Where to from now?

Online demo Play with our live demonstration of three Json2Ldap - enabled Ajax directory applications!
Where to use? Suggests interesting applications of the Json2Ldap gateway/proxy.
Specification Json2Ldap system requirements, API and configuration.
Quick start Get Json2Ldap up and running in 10 minutes.
Configuration The Json2Ldap configuration parameters.
JSON-RPC API The Json2Ldap web API.
JSON-RPC error codes The Json2Ldap error codes and messsages.
Q+A Some more or less frequently asked questions.

Download

Ready to try out Json2Ldap? You are welcome to download an evalution copy. No registration is required for that.

Download now Json2Ldap

The software comes in a standard WAR package ready for immediate deployment. Check out the installation instructions for details.

Json2Ldap is offered under an affordable licence. The price includes maintenance, updates and our support for the first 12 months. Discounts are available if you wish to run multiple instances or would like to integrate Json2Ldap into your own product or service offerings. We also offer various dedicated services such as integration assistance, training and custom add-on development. Get in touch with sales to request a quote.