9.2. Managing Attributes
The Directory Server Console shows all attributes in the schema, and you can create, edit, and delete attribute extensions to the schema. The following sections describe how to manage attributes:
For information on managing object classes, see Section 9.3, “Managing Object Classes”.
To view information about all attributes that currently exist in the directory schema, do the following:
The fields and lists in the Attributes tab are described in Table 9.1, “Attributes Tab Reference”.
| Field | Description | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Name | The name of the attribute. | ||||||
| OID |
The object identifier of the attribute. An OID is a string, usually of dotted decimal numbers, that uniquely identifies an object, such as an object class or an attribute. If an OID is not specified, the Directory Server automatically uses attribute_name-oid. For example, if the attribute birthdate is created without supplying an OID, the Directory Server automatically uses birthdate-oid as the OID.
CAUTION
Using an alphanumeric OID such as |
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| Syntax |
Sets the syntax for the attribute values. The attribute syntax can be, for example, any of the following:
|
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| Multi | If the attribute is multi-valued, an X appears in this column; otherwise, this field is blank. If this is not checked, the Directory Server only allows a single value for this attribute. |
The Directory Server Console can create new attributes.
After adding new attributes to the schema, create a new object class to contain them, as described in Section 9.3.2, “Creating Object Classes”.
To create a new attribute, do the following:
In the Directory Server Console, select the Configuration tab.
In the left navigation tree, select the Schema folder, and then select the Attributes tab in the right pane.
Click Create.
The Create Attribute dialog box opens.
Enter a unique name for the attribute in the Attribute Name text box.
Enter an object identifier for the attribute in the Attribute OID (Optional) text box.
OIDs are described in Table 9.1, “Attributes Tab Reference”.
Select a syntax that describes the data to be held by the attribute from the Syntax drop-down menu.
Available syntaxes are described in Table 9.1, “Attributes Tab Reference”.
To make the attribute multi-valued, select the Multi-Valued checkbox.
Multi-valued means that the Directory Server allows more than one instance of the attribute per entry.
Click OK.
Only user-created attributes can be edited. You cannot edit standard attributes. To edit an attribute, do the following:
In the Directory Server Console, select the Configuration tab.
In the left navigation tree, select the Schema folder, and then select the Attributes tab in the right pane.
Select the attribute to edit in the User Defined Attributes table, and click Edit.
The Edit Attribute dialog box opens.
To change the attribute's name, enter a new one in the Attribute Name text box.
To change the attribute's object identifier, enter a new one in the Attribute OID (Optional) text box. OIDs are described in Table 9.1, “Attributes Tab Reference”.
To change the syntax that describes the data to be held by the attribute, choose a new one from the Syntax drop-down menu. Available syntaxes are described in Table 9.1, “Attributes Tab Reference”.
To make the attribute multi-valued, select the Multi-Valued checkbox. Multi-valued means that the Directory Server allows more than one instance of the attribute per entry.
Click OK.
Only user-defined attributes can be deleted. You cannot delete standard attributes. To delete an attribute, do the following:
Display the Attributes tab.
This procedure is explained in Section 9.2.4, “Deleting Attributes”.
In the User Defined Attributes table, select the attribute, and click Delete.
If prompted, confirm the delete.
The server immediately deletes the attribute. There is no undo.