The most important file is slapd.conf. it has some quick configs necisarry for testing. the file slapd.conf belongs at /etc/openldap/slapd.conf install the packages if they are not already yum -y install openldap-server openldap-clients add the root dn slapadd -v -l root.ldif start the service /etc/init.d/ldap start add some test entries (service must be running) ldapmodify -D "cn=Manager,dc=plainjoe,dc=org" -w secret -x -a -v -f users.ldif remove them ldapmodify -D "cn=Manager,dc=plainjoe,dc=org" -w secret -x -v -f remove_all.ldif read them with slapcat slapcat or read them with a client tool ldapsearch -x -b "dc=plainjoe,dc=org" "(objectclass=*)"