← Back to OpenLDAP Docker

Getting Started

Deploy a production-ready OpenLDAP server in under 5 minutes.

Prerequisites

  • Docker installed on your machine
  • Basic familiarity with LDAP concepts (DN, base DN, bind DN)

Step 1: Run OpenLDAP

docker run -d \
  --name openldap \
  -e LDAP_DOMAIN=example.com \
  -e LDAP_ADMIN_PASSWORD=changeme \
  -p 389:389 \
  -v ldap-data:/var/lib/ldap \
  -v ldap-config:/etc/openldap/slapd.d \
  ghcr.io/vibhuvioio/openldap:latest
  • -e LDAP_DOMAIN=example.com — automatically creates base DN dc=example,dc=com
  • -e LDAP_ADMIN_PASSWORD=changeme — sets the admin (Manager) password
  • -v ldap-data:/var/lib/ldap — persists the database across restarts

Step 2: Verify the Server

Check the container is running:

docker ps | grep openldap

Test the connection:

ldapsearch -x -H ldap://localhost:389 -b "" -s base

Step 3: Authenticate and Browse

ldapsearch -x -H ldap://localhost:389 \
  -D "cn=Manager,dc=example,dc=com" \
  -w changeme \
  -b "dc=example,dc=com"
  • -D — bind DN (admin account)
  • -w — password
  • -b — search base
You should see the base domain entry and default OUs (ou=People, ou=Group).

Step 4: Add Your First User

Create a file user.ldif:

dn: uid=jsmith,ou=People,dc=example,dc=com
objectClass: inetOrgPerson
objectClass: organizationalPerson
objectClass: person
uid: jsmith
cn: John Smith
sn: Smith
givenName: John
mail: jsmith@example.com
userPassword: secret123

Add the user:

docker exec -i openldap ldapadd \
  -x -D "cn=Manager,dc=example,dc=com" -w changeme \
  -f /dev/stdin < user.ldif

Verify:

ldapsearch -x -H ldap://localhost:389 \
  -D "cn=Manager,dc=example,dc=com" -w changeme \
  -b "ou=People,dc=example,dc=com" "(uid=jsmith)"

Step 5: Connect with LDAP Manager (Optional)

Use LDAP Manager for a web-based interface:

clusters:
  - name: "Local OpenLDAP"
    host: "localhost"
    port: 389
    bind_dn: "cn=Manager,dc=example,dc=com"
    base_dn: "dc=example,dc=com"


docker run -d --name ldap-manager \
  -p 5000:5000 \
  -v $(pwd)/config.yml:/app/config.yml \
  ghcr.io/vibhuvioio/ldap-manager:latest

Access the UI at http://localhost:5000

Docker Compose Setup

For a more complete setup with persistent volumes and health checks:

wget https://raw.githubusercontent.com/VibhuviOiO/infinite-containers/main/openldap/docker-compose.yml
docker compose up -d

Cleanup

docker stop openldap && docker rm openldap
docker volume rm ldap-data ldap-config
⚠️

Warning: This deletes all LDAP data. Back up first in production.

Next Steps