This section provides simple scenarios that show how a virtual directory answers specific business requirements. For more complex sample scenarios, and for details of virtual directory configuration, see Sample Virtual Configurations in Sun Java System Directory Server Enterprise Edition 6.1 Administration Guide.
Example.com stores uses three different data repositories to store user data. Example.com's Directory Server contains the bulk of the user data. User email addresses are stored in an Active Directory, and HR data is stored in a MySQL database.
Example.com has several client applications that require a complete view of all user data. The following diagram illustrates how the virtual directory provides a complete view of a user's identity to the client application.
In this scenario, Example.com acquires a new company, Acquisition.com. The new company stores its user data in its own Directory Server. For management purposes, Example.com wants to retain this directory structure. However, certain client applications need to see the use data from Acquisition.com as if it were user data from Example.com.
The following diagram illustrates how the virtual directory provides a virtualized merge of the acquired company's data into the existing directory structure.
Acquisition.com's directory is seen as a separate branch under the ou=people branch. The DNs of the entry's in Acquisition.com's directory are transformed when they are viewed through the virtual directory.