Directory Services

About DSML Services for Windows

Directory Services Markup Language (DSML) Services for Windows provides applications with the capability to use XML documents to read from and write to Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) directories, such as Active Directory. DSML Services for Windows converts XML elements and attributes into LDAP commands that can both make changes to a directory and retrieve data from a directory through the use of XML documents. These XML to LDAP, and LDAP to XML conversions are based on, and in compliance with, the DSML V2 specification, a standard approved by the Organization for the Advancement of Structural Information Standards (OASIS) and supported by many directory services vendors.

Greater Interoperability through Open Standards

DSML Services for Windows extends the features of Active Directory®. Because DSML Services for Windows uses open standards such as HTTP, XML, and SOAP, a greater level of interoperability with Active Directory is possible than with current directory service APIs. The use of open standards provides a number of key benefits for IT administrators and independent software vendors (ISVs), that now have even more open-standard choices for accessing Active Directory.

DSML Services for Windows supports DSML V2. DSML V2 is a standard approved by OASIS. By supporting the DSML V2 specification, you will achieve greater interoperability with other directory services vendors that support this standard.

One advantage of using DSML Services for Windows is that XML documents can interact with existing LDAP directories without making changes to the directories: for example, without converting them to XML documents or schemas. Another advantage of DSML Services for Windows is that the tools that you use to develop XML-based applications can also be used to enable these applications to access LDAP directories.

Features of DSML Services for Windows

DSML Services for Windows includes the following features:

Using DSML Services for Windows

DSML Services for Windows can be used for a variety purposes. The following list describes common scenarios for using DSML Services for Windows: