opendirectoryd(8)

NAME

opendirectoryd — is a launchd(8) job for client access to local or remote directory systems

DESCRIPTION

opendirectoryd is a launchd(8) job which replaced "DirectoryService" as a core part of the Open Directory technology. Several modules are provided that allow access to existing directory systems:

Active Directory
LDAP
Local Database

Modules

opendirectoryd modules have specific capabilities:

Authentication: password verification, password changes, etc.
Connection: general connections used for queries, record modifications, etc.
Discovery: location and prioritization of servers to contact (a.k.a., service discovery)
Unspecified: a generic module used for unspecified purpose (usually to extend capabilities)

Open Directory is a technology which includes a client API abstraction layer and the opendirectoryd daemon. This allows clients to utilize a single set of APIs to access a variety of directory servers simultaneously.

Open Directory forms the foundation of how macOS accesses all authoritative configuration information (users, groups, mounts, managed desktop data, etc.). This allows use of virtually any directory system via Apple and third party modules.

Configuration of opendirectoryd is done via the "Users & Groups" pane in "System Settings". Advanced settings are available by using "Edit..." in the "Network account server" portion of the pane, then "Open Directory Utility...".

NFSv4 Domain name

The following will set the default domain name used to map user and group identities in NFSv4 client/server operations.

dscl . -create Config/NFSv4Domain RealName <Example.com>

This command requires root privileges.

FILES

Files are stored in various locations for opendirectoryd depending on use. A list of folders and files are shown below.

System files provided by Apple and should only change with operating system updates:

/System/Library/OpenDirectory/Configurations/: node configuration files
/System/Library/OpenDirectory/DynamicNodeTemplates/: dynamic node definitions
/System/Library/OpenDirectory/Mappings/: record/attribute mapping tables
/System/Library/OpenDirectory/Modules/: modules to be loaded on demand
/System/Library/OpenDirectory/Templates/: templates used for node styles (module layout and mappings)
/System/Library/OpenDirectory/record-schema.plist: OpenDirectory record/attribute schema
/System/Library/OpenDirectory/permissions.plist: OpenDirectory global record/attribute permissions

User defined files:

/Library/OpenDirectory/Templates/: templates used for node styles (module layout and mappings)
/Library/OpenDirectory/Mappings/: record/attribute mapping tables

Files that change periodically are located in:

/Library/Preferences/OpenDirectory/Configurations/: node configuration files
/Library/Preferences/OpenDirectory/DynamicData/: dynamic data stored by nodes