While not really a Linux question, I figured that enough people here would be comfortable enough with both Thunderbird and LDAP to help me out. I've been trying for a few days to set up Thunderbird to connect to my university's LDAP server. I've easily connected with standalone LDAP browsers using the same information I inserted into Thunderbird's LDAP config window, but no matter what I do Thunderbird doesn't want to connect -- it always shows 0 cards in the LDAP address book and does not drop any entries down when I'm typing them.

I think the problem may be that we use Novell NDS here, but I think it's a recent enough version that the suite's LDAP implementation would be standards-compliant. Thunderbird, on the other hand, has myriad LDAP issues open on Bugzilla, and since other Java- and Win32-based apps are able to connect to the server just fine using either an anonymous bind or a login, over SSL or not, I'm pretty sure Thunderbird is at fault here.

Anyway, here's the information I'm using:

Name: Loyola LDAP
Hostname: XXXXXXX.loyola.edu
Base DN: ou=Students,o=LOYOLA
Port Number: 389
Bind DN: (blank)

I have no issues with Thunderbird and our LDAP server.

I would suggest first trying another e-mail client to establish that you have valid settings. Then ask your IT support people to help you troubleshoot.
(How far will you get before the'll say: "We dont support Linux."..? Then you say, how about Thunderbird on Windows?)
Can you try Thunderbird on Windows to see if that give any clue?

Actually our IT staff supports Linux in the sense that they are more than accommodating as far as firewall rules, etc. go. They won't give tech support, tho.

But that's a moot point since I am using Thunderbird on Windows. I just came here because I know the crowd here is knowlegdable when it comes to stuff like this. Plus I can't get on IRC (our firewall blocks IDENT and the tech staff refuse to unblock it).

Have you tried a different e-mail client to see if LDAP works there?

No but I have tried a few LDAP browsers. The Novell GroupWise client works on the school's computers, but that might use a protocol other than LDAP. I'll try a different client and see if it works.

Just used KMail/KAddressBook, and it worked flawlessly. Definitely a problem with Thunderbird, which I also tried on the same Linux box with no success.