A Central Directory Server (CDS) is fundamentally a network component responsible for managing and maintaining a comprehensive list of resources available across a network.
Understanding the Role of a CDS Server
Based on the provided reference, a Central Directory Server (CDS) is defined as a network node that builds and maintains a directory of resources throughout the network. Its primary function is to act as a central point where information about network resources (like files, printers, or services) is stored and organized. This allows other nodes on the network to locate and access these resources efficiently.
Key Characteristics of a CDS Server
- Network Node: It is a specific device or system connected to the network.
- Resource Directory: It creates and keeps updated a list of all available resources.
- Maintenance: It actively manages this directory, likely updating it as resources are added, removed, or change status.
Analogy to CMC Host
The reference also notes that The CDS server provides some similar function to that of a CMC host in a subarea network. While the specific details of a CMC host in a subarea network aren't provided here, this analogy suggests the CDS server plays a coordinating or central control role in managing information, much like a Communications Management Configuration (CMC) host might do within a specific segment or 'subarea' of an older network architecture. This comparison highlights its importance in the overall network's ability to locate and utilize resources.
In essence, a CDS server serves as the network's librarian, keeping track of where everything is so that network users and services can find what they need without having to search every corner of the network individually.
