Importing users and groups with LDAP

An Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) server is just another data source. In theory, it could store any information, meaning an LDAP server can be used like a database. However, LDAP most commonly stores user data, including information such as their phone number, e-mail address, and location.

Note

Microsoft Active Directory is the most commonly used LDAP server that ServiceNow customers use, and is probably the most common integration target. It is usually the most obvious source of user data in a company, but it's often badly maintained! Before integrating it without question, consider whether you have a better source of user information, such as an HR database.

An LDAP server also has the extra capability of authentication. In ServiceNow, these two functions are distinct and operate independently of each other, though they are obviously connected. Many LDAP servers, such as Active Directory, will also have the capability for single sign-on ...