LDAP/AD Integration with Neo4j

Introduction

The integration of LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) or Active Directory (AD) with Neo4j allows organizations to leverage existing user directories for authentication and authorization. This lesson explores how to set up this integration effectively.

Key Concepts

LDAP: A protocol used to access and manage directory services.
Active Directory: A directory service developed by Microsoft for Windows domain networks.
Neo4j: A graph database management system that uses graph structures for semantic queries.
Authentication: The process of verifying the identity of a user or system.
Authorization: The process of determining whether a user has the right to perform a given action.

Step-by-Step Process

The following steps outline the process for integrating LDAP/AD with Neo4j:

Install Neo4j: Download and install Neo4j from the official website.
Configure Neo4j: Update the neo4j.conf file to enable LDAP or AD integration.

Note: Ensure that you have the LDAP/AD plugin installed if required.

Set Up Authentication: Configure authentication settings in the neo4j.conf file.

Example configuration:


                dbms.security.auth_enabled=true
                dbms.security.ldap.url=ldap://your-ldap-server:389
                dbms.security.ldap.base_dn=dc=example,dc=com

Test the Connection: Use a Neo4j client to test the connection with LDAP/AD credentials.
Deploy: After successful testing, deploy your Neo4j instance with LDAP/AD integration in production.

Best Practices

Regularly update your Neo4j instance to the latest version for security and performance enhancements.
Implement SSL/TLS to secure LDAP communication.
Audit LDAP/AD access logs to monitor unauthorized access attempts.
Use role-based access control (RBAC) for fine-grained authorization.
Regularly review and update user permissions within Neo4j.

FAQ

What is the difference between LDAP and Active Directory?

LDAP is a protocol used for accessing directory services, while Active Directory is a specific implementation of a directory service that uses LDAP. AD offers additional features such as group policies and user permissions management.

How can I troubleshoot LDAP/AD integration issues with Neo4j?

Check the Neo4j logs for authentication errors, ensure that the LDAP/AD server is reachable, and verify that the configuration settings in neo4j.conf are correct.

Can I integrate multiple LDAP servers with Neo4j?

Yes, you can configure Neo4j to connect to multiple LDAP servers by specifying the relevant settings in the neo4j.conf file.