In short > What is the difference between /etc/ldap.conf and /etc/ldap.conf is not part of OpenLDAP and is used by LDAP PAM module and Nameservice switch libraries for authentication or name service resolution. > /etc/openldap/ldap.conf ? /etc/openldap/ldap.conf is an OpenLDAP configuration file, used by OpenLDAP clients. This file is sufficient to query an LDAP server. -Amit