# Using the PHP LDAP calls

Before you can use the LDAP calls you will need to know ..

- The name or address of the directory server you will use

- The "base dn" of the server (the part of the world directory that is held on this server, which could be "o=My Company,c=US")

- Whether you need a password to access the server (many servers will provide read access for an "anonymous bind" but require a password for anything else)

The typical sequence of LDAP calls you will make in an application will follow this pattern:

      ldap_connect()    // establish connection to server
         |
      ldap_bind()       // anonymous or authenticated "login"
         |
      do something like search or update the directory
      and display the results
         |
      ldap_close()      // "logout"