What is the standard protocol commonly used for accessing directories?

The standard protocol commonly used for accessing directories is LDAP, which stands for Lightweight Directory Access Protocol. This protocol is designed specifically for reading and managing directory information services over an Internet Protocol (IP) network. LDAP is widely utilized in various applications for tasks such as user authentication, authorization, and other directory-related operations.

The significance of LDAP lies in its structured format for storing and retrieving data efficiently. It allows clients to query and update directory entries stored in a hierarchical structure, making it suitable for large distributed directories that handle numerous users and resources.

Other options mentioned do not represent standard protocols for directory access. For instance, DAP (Directory Access Protocol) is an older standard that was used before LDAP gained popularity. SLAP (which may imply a variant or incorrect acronym) and SLDAP do not refer to recognized protocols in the realm of directory access. Thus, LDAP remains the most relevant and frequently employed choice for accessing directory services in contemporary systems.