# Directory server configuration overview

User information is stored in an internal or an external LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol) directory.

The standard LDAP user management model consists of three different levels: LDAP domains, user groups, and users. All three levels are represented as elements in the SMC Client.

Follow these general steps to configure the directory server:

1. (Optional) Integrate an external LDAP directory server:
   1. Define an LDAP Server or Active Directory Server element. The Active Directory Server element also contains the settings for NPS authentication; generic LDAP Server elements define a directory server only.
   2. (Optional) Define an LDAP Domain.
2. Define the User Group and User information:
   1. Import existing user information from some other Management Server.
   2. Create new accounts or edit accounts stored in an external LDAP database.