Defining Custom Search Policies


Using Directory Access, you can configure a Mac OS X computer's authentication and contacts search policies to use a custom list of directory domains. A custom list starts with the computer's local directory domain and you can also include Open Directory and other LDAP directory domains, an Active Directory domain, shared NetInfo domains, BSD configuration files, and an NIS domain.

Note: Make sure the computer has been configured to access the LDAP directories, Active Directory domain, NetInfo domains, and NIS domain that you want to add to the search policy.

  1. In Directory Access, click the Authentication or click Contacts.

    Authentication shows the search policy used for authentication and most other administrative data.

    Contacts shows the search policy used for contact information in applications such as Address Book.

  2. If the lock icon is locked, click it and type the name and password of an administrator.
  3. Choose "Custom path" from the Search pop-up menu.
  4. Add directory domains as needed.

    Add directory domains by clicking Add, selecting one or more directories, and clicking Add again.

  5. Change the order of the listed directory domains as needed, and remove listed directory domains that you don't want in the search policy.

    Move a directory domain by dragging it up or down the list.

    Remove a listed directory domain by selecting it and clicking Remove.

  6. Click Apply.