When you create an object, you enter various types of information about that object into its properties. An object's properties can include a telephone number, a description, an address, and so on.
Many object properties are optional; you are not required to enter information about such properties to create the object. However, information in objects' properties can help you track and manage those objects.
After you have created objects, you can use NetWare Administrator, NETADMIN, or NLIST to search for and list these objects. You can also search for the values contained in the objects' properties.
If you enter data into the properties in a consistent format, it is easier to search the Directory database for different types of information when you need them.
For example, you may want to search for all User objects at a certain location, such as building M1. You cannot easily list all objects located in building M1 if you have entered ``Bldg. M1'', ``BLDG M1'', and ``M1'' as values in the Location property of multiple User objects.
Standardizing the value for the Location property for all User objects at the site (such as M1, M2, and M3) makes it possible to search for objects located in each building.