How to Easily Query LDAP Objects in OpenOffice Base

Apache OpenOffice Base is a versatile, free database tool that makes connecting and managing data easy. With CData ODBC Driver for LDAP, you can seamlessly integrate and query live LDAP data, bringing real-time insights directly into OpenOffice.

This guide simplifies the setup, showing you how to connect LDAP to OpenOffice Base so you can easily generate reports, analyze trends, and make informed decisions right within your familiar workspace.

Overview

Here is an overview of the steps:

1. CONFIGURE: Configure the DSN for LDAP objects in the CData ODBC Driver for LDAP, using the required connection properties.
2. CONNECT: Set up the ODBC connection in OpenOffice Base using the configured DSN.
3. IMPORT: Once connected, review the available metadata and tables.
4. CREATE: Create a report based on the queried LDAP objects data.

Configure the LDAP DSN Using the CData ODBC Driver for LDAP

To start, configure the DSN (Data Source Name) for LDAP objects in your system using the CData ODBC Driver for LDAP. Download and install a 30-day free trial with all the features from here.

Once installed, launch the ODBC Data Source Administrator:

• On Windows: Search for ODBC Data Source Administrator in the Start menu and open the application.
• On Mac: Open Applications, go to Utilities, and select ODBC Manager.
• On Linux: Use the command line to launch ODBC Data Source Administrator or use unixODBC if installed.

Once launched, double-click on the CData LDAP objects Source and enter the required values to establish a connection:

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.

Setup an ODBC Connection in OpenOffice Base

Once you've set up the DSN, it's time to connect to it in OpenOffice Base and start querying data:

• Launch OpenOffice Base and select Database from the home screen.
• In the Database Wizard, choose ODBC from the 'Connect to an existing database' option and click Next.
• Click Browse to locate and select the DSN you created, then click OK.
• Enter the username associated with the DSN, click Test Connection to verify, and then click Next.
• Finally, click Finish to save the new database file to your desired directory. This will connect OpenOffice Base to your live LDAP objects data, ready for querying and analysis.

Your connection is now established — ready to query and analyze data seamlessly within OpenOffice Base.

Review the Metadata and Tables

After the database file is created and the connection is established, the table list will automatically display all available LDAP objects objects.

• Review the LDAP objects Object List: In the left pane, click on Tables to view the LDAP objects objects now available within OpenOffice Base.
• View Object Data: Click on any object to view its contents. The LDAP objects data will display directly within OpenOffice Base, allowing you to review records and fields with ease.

That's it! You have now successfully established a connection to LDAP objects in OpenOffice Base, with data readily available for analysis and reporting.

Create a Report

Now, let's generate a report based on your LDAP objects data.

• Open your database and go to the Reports tab, then select Create Report Using Wizard.
• In the Report Wizard, choose the LDAP objects table from the Table or Query section. Select the columns from Available Fields that you want to include in your report and move them to the Fields in Report section using the arrows.
• After configuring the fields, click Finish to generate your report.
• Analyze, adjust, save, and publish the report as needed.

Your report is now created, drawing live data directly from LDAP objects, and ready for analysis.

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