Communicator Help: Using AOL<sup><font size=-2>®</font></sup> Communicator Address Book

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Using AOL Communicator Address Book

Managing Directories

Setting Up a New Directory

Settings & Preferences:
New Directory

Setting Up a New Directory

Some organizations publish online directories of members, employees, and so on.

When configured for use with such a directory, AOL Communicator Mail can fill in names and addresses automatically when you address a message, and Instant Messenger for AOL Communicator can notify you when you receive mail from anyone listed in the directory.

AOL Communicator can be set up to work this way with any directories that use LDAP ("Lightweight Directory Access Protocol). Before you attempt to set one up, get the information listed in the next section from your directory server administrator.

To set up an LDAP directory from Address Book:

1. Open the File menu and choose New, then Directory.
2. Fill in the requested information. See New Directory for details.

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New Directory

The New Directory window allows you to create a new directory entry. If you're not already viewing it, open the File menu, choose New, and then Directory.

The same window appears when you right-click the name of an existing directory in the left pane of the Address Book window and choose Edit Directory.

When you create a new directory, you see exactly the same fields:

- Directory Name: The name you want to assign this directory in your Address Book. For example: Corporate Phonebook
  The name you specify must be unique among all group names, category names, and directory names in your Address Book.
- LDAP Server: The name of the server for this directory. Ask your directory server administrator for this information.
- Port: For many directories you can leave the default value of 389. Ask your directory server administrator if you need to change this setting.
- Search Root: This important information is directory-specific. Ask your directory server administrator what to type here. Example: dc=com
- Maximum Results: This setting controls the maximum number of results displayed when you search the directory for a name or part of a name.
- Typing delay: This setting determines the delay in milliseconds between keystrokes before Communicator starts looking for matches in the configured directory. The default of 200 is fine. Some people prefer a shorter delay, such as 100.
- Use secure connection (SSL): Select this option if you want communication between your computer and the directory to be encrypted.
  Not all directory servers support secure connection. If you select this option and the server doesn't support SSL, you will not be able to use the directory. If you're not sure, check with your system administrator.

When you have filled in the requested information, click OK.

Related topic:

Using AOL Communicator Offline

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Last Updated September 16, 2003