# DIXIE

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For other uses, see [Dixie (disambiguation)](/source/Dixie_(disambiguation)).

**DIXIE** is an obsolete [protocol](/source/Communications_protocol) for accessing [X.500](/source/X.500) directory services. DIXIE was intended to provide a lightweight means for clients to access X.500 directory services. DIXIE allowed [TCP/IP](/source/Internet_protocol_suite) clients to connect a DIXIE-to-DAP gateway which would provide access to the X.500 Directory Service. This design allows the client to access the directory without requiring it to support the cumbersome [Open Systems Interconnection](/source/Open_Systems_Interconnection) protocol stack.

DIXIE was created in 1990 at the [University of Michigan](/source/University_of_Michigan) by [Tim Howes](/source/Tim_Howes), Mark Smith, and [Bryan Beecher](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Bryan_Beecher&action=edit&redlink=1). DIXIE was formally specified in RFC 1249, published in 1991. The university offered a completed [UNIX](/source/UNIX) implementation of the protocol, including a DIXIE server, an application development library, and DIXIE clients. A DIXIE client for [Apple Macintosh](/source/Apple_Macintosh) was also provided.

These efforts led to the development of the [Lightweight Directory Access Protocol](/source/Lightweight_Directory_Access_Protocol). LDAP replaced DIXIE.[1]

When created, the acronym DIXIE did not stand for anything, however later it became known to stand for **D**irectory **I**nterface to **X**.500 **I**mplemented **E**fficiently.

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-1)** ["Pre-History of LDAP"](http://cybermatters.info/2013/04/09/prehistory-of-ldap/). *Cyber Matters*. Retrieved 5 October 2014.

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [DIXIE](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIXIE) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DIXIE?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.