Query LDAP Objects in MySQL Workbench

MySQL Workbench allows users to administer MySQL environments and gain better visibility into databases. When paired with CData Connect (on-premise or Connect Server), you get live access to LDAP objects as if it were a MySQL database. This article shows how to create a virtual database for LDAP in Connect and work with live LDAP objects in MySQL Workbench.

Create a Virtual MySQL Database for LDAP Objects

CData Connect uses a straightforward, point-and-click interface to connect to data sources and generate APIs.

1. Login to Connect and click Connections.
2. Select "LDAP" from Available Data Sources.
3. Enter the necessary authentication properties to connect to LDAP.

   To establish a connection, the following properties under the Authentication section must be provided:

   • Valid User and Password credentials (e.g., Domain\BobF or cn=Bob F,ou=Employees,dc=Domain).
   • Server information, including the IP or host name of the Server, as well as the Port.

   • BaseDN: This will limit the scope of LDAP searches to the height of the distinguished name provided.

     Note: Specifying a narrow BaseDN may greatly increase performance; for example, cn=users,dc=domain will only return results contained within cn=users and its children.

4. Click Save Changes
5. Click Privileges -> Add and add the new user (or an existing user) with the appropriate permissions.

With the virtual database created, you are ready to connect to LDAP from MySQL Workbench.

Query LDAP from MySQL Workbench

The steps below outline connecting to the virtual LDAP database in Connect from MySQL Workbench and issuing basic queries to work with live LDAP objects.

Connect to LDAP through Connect

1. In MySQL Workbench, click to add a new MySQL connection.
2. Name the connection (CData Connect).
3. Set the Hostname, Port, and Username parameters to connect to the SQL Gateway.
4. Click Store in Vault to set and store the password.
5. Click Test Connection to ensure the connection is configured properly and click OK.

Query LDAP Objects

1. Open the connection you just created (CData Connect).
2. Click File -> New Query Tab.
3. Write a SQL query to retrieve LDAP objects, like SELECT * FROM ldapdb.User;

With access to live LDAP objects from MySQL Workbench, you can easily query and update LDAP, just like you would a MySQL database. Request a demo of the CData Connect and start working with LDAP just like a MySQL database today.