php and mysql looking into the active directory

[jpmoriarty]

people at phpbuilder seem very reluctant to help me...

I've had a look round these boards but i'm at a bit of a loss - i'm doing an intranet at work and was planning on doing a database for all the employees. it then occured to me that i could use the active directory, since all the users are in there already. I think i need to use LDAP, but i'm thinking that i really need to have MySQL look into the active directory so that i can include it in my queries.

Is there a way that i can do something akin to the "linking tables" that you can do with access, only link the active directory into MySQL?

If not, and i have to go down the PHP route, then how do i go about using the ldap functions (are there tutorials around? i cant find them!) to get the info into my web page?

I'm trying to do things like employee movement lists, so would want to do things like putting a username into my MySQL database from the active directory, and similarly get an employee name from the active directory by giving it a username from the database.

Any help, advice greatly received.

[Nicodemas]

If you are trying to get usernames, it sounds like you'd be better off using ADSI's WinNT:// functions rather than LDAP. I've been rooting around the ADSI world for a couple of weeks, looking at making a portal for my intranet, too. From what I've read, it sounds like you should go w/ WinNT:// because LDAP is mostly used for looking at Microsoft Exchange Server stuff.

[jpmoriarty]

sorry - forgot to mention that i'm using win 2k server. Does winnt:// still work? and if so, in what context should i use it? Is it like accessing a directory, or is it slightly more complicated than that? and where can i get a tutorial / view the manual on it?

Many thanks anyway - you've been a lot more help than any of the other boards i've posted this on!

[Nicodemas]

Kinda limited in tutorials on the web, but you can pick up some examples at www.15seconds.com
You're welcome :)

[Rubinasd]

Hi...John. I have a similar requirement.

I have a user table in MYSQL database

I want the email id field in this table to be updated once a week by looking up values from Active Directory.

Please advice how can i achieve this.

Thanks.