directory information tree (X.500) (DIT)
Directory Information Tree(DIT) is the global information tree used in directory services, such as X.500. It consists of entries that correspond to the information objects of the X.500 directory.
In the hierarchically structured directory tree, objects are grouped into object groups. Such a hierarchy is comparable to a postal address structure.
The root forms the base of the directory tree. In the following hierarchy level are the states, followed by the cities and other selection criteria. An object that is subordinate to another object in the directory tree has all the attributes of the object above it. The name of the respective object is always unique and is composed of the names of all objects above the respective object. Related to a postal address structure, the object with the street name has the information about the city, state and country. These objects are called Distinguished Name( DN), the partial information Relative Distinguished Name( RDN).
The end users can access the DIT tree through a Directory User Agent( DUA) or a Directory System Agent( DSA).