About locales

Use the Server app to manage Open Directory locales. When a client connects to an Open Directory server, it may connect to an Open Directory parent (master) or to its replica. These connections can become unbalanced, meaning you have more connections to your Open Directory parent server than its replica.

If you have replicas on your network, you can configure locales to specify which Open Directory servers clients should use and you can load balance your client connections between your Open Directory master and its replicas.

Locales are groups of servers that service a specified subnet. These servers are given a locale name similar to an Active Directory forest name.

When you add a locale, two locales are configured by default.

The first locale includes all of the Open Directory master’s replicas, even those outside the subnet. This is created as a failsafe for the client if no locales are available for connection on the client’s subnet.

The second locale is based on the subnet of the Open Directory parent. This can include some of its replicas if they’re on the same subnet. Servers and clients on the same subnet use that Open Directory master and its replicas for directory service.

Add or remove locales

You can add or remove locales from your Open Directory server.

  1. Select Open Directory in the Server app sidebar, then click Locales.

  2. To add a locale, click Add add below the locale server list.

    • Locale Name: Enter a name for the locale. This name is similar to an Active Directory forest name and is used by clients to connect to the locale.

    • Client Subnets: Click Add add, then enter the subnet or subnets that will use the locale servers. You can enter multiple subnets.

    • Servers: Click Add add, select a server from the server list, then click OK.

    • Comments: Enter a comment or note for the locale.

  3. Click Create.

  4. To remove a locale, select a locale from the list of locales, then click Remove remove.

Edit locales settings

You can edit your locales settings.

  1. Select Open Directory in the Server app sidebar, then click Locales.

  2. Click Edit edit below the locale server list.

  3. Make your edits, then click Done.