

The first is that OpenLDAP is optimized for LDAP-centric systems and applications. The challenge with using OpenLDAP for Windows, Mac, and Linux authentication is three-fold. While OpenLDAP does a good job of supporting Linux systems, there are still a few challenges to be aware of when it comes to using it as your directory service. Some of the typical use cases we see OpenLDAP leveraged in are data centers and cloud infrastructure services like those from AWS and GCE. So, when it comes to OpenLDAP, an authentication protocol most popular with technical applications and servers, it stands to reason that the two go together. Linux systems and the users who operate them generally focus on the more technical aspects of computing. In general, the fact that OpenLDAP works better with Linux systems does make a lot of sense. On the other hand, Windows and Mac are far more difficult to make work with OpenLDAP. On one hand, Linux is generally an easier platform to utilize with OpenLDAP. Can you use OpenLDAP for Windows, Mac, and Linux? The short answer is that it is possible, but for the most part, it is incredibly painful to leverage LDAP for system authentication.
