Which term describes an intermediary system that enables cross-vendor directory data synchronization?

• A. LDAP
• B. RADIUS
• C. Metadirectory
• D. Active Directory

Answer: (C)

A metadirectory acts as an integration layer between multiple directory services, collecting identity data from each source, normalizing it to a common schema, and propagating changes across all directories. It handles attribute mapping, conflict resolution, and provisioning/deprovisioning so that applications see consistent identity information regardless of the underlying vendor. This is what enables cross-vendor directory data synchronization.

LDAP is a protocol for querying and modifying directory data, not a mediator between different directories. RADIUS is focused on network access authentication and accounting, not directory synchronization. Active Directory is a directory service itself, typically one source of truth, and not the middleware that synchronizes across multiple directories.