---
title: Installation
description: Overview of PingDS installation options, including the directory server, HDAP gateway, and Java APIs.
component: pingds
version: 7.5
page_id: pingds:install-guide:preface
canonical_url: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingds/8.1/install-guide/preface.html
llms_txt: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingds/llms.txt
docs_for_agents: https://developer.pingidentity.com/build-with-ai/docs-for-agents.md
revdate: 2024-05-13T16:21:23Z
keywords: ["Install", "LDAP"]
page_aliases: ["index.adoc"]
superseded_by: https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingds/8.1/install-guide/preface.html
---

# Installation

This guide shows you how to install and remove PingDS software.

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#### [Evaluate DS](setup-ds.html)

Try DS software.

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#### [DS for CTS](profile-am-cts.html)

Store AM CTS tokens.

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#### [DS for Identities](profile-am-idrepo.html)

Store AM identities.

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#### [DS as IDM Repo](profile-idm-repo.html)

Store IDM data.

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#### [Setup Hints](setup-parameters.html)

Review setup options.

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#### [DS Proxy](setup-proxy.html)

Install an LDAP proxy.

| Component                  | Description                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                |
| -------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| Directory server and tools | Pure Java, high-performance server that can be configured as:- An LDAPv3 directory server with the additional capability to serve directory data to REST applications over HTTP.

- An LDAPv3 directory proxy server providing a single point of access to underlying directory servers.

- A replication server handling replication traffic with directory servers and with other replication servers, receiving, sending, and storing changes to directory data.Server distributions include command-line tools for installing, configuring, and managing servers. The tools make it possible to script all operations. |
| DSML gateway (deprecated)  | DSML support is available through the gateway, which is a Java web application that you install in a web container.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        |
| HDAP gateway               | The HDAP gateway is a Java web application offering REST access to a remote LDAPv3 directory service.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      |
| Java APIs                  | Java server-side APIs for server plugins that extend directory services.All Java APIs have interface stability: *Evolving*. *Be prepared for incompatible changes in both major and minor releases.*                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                       |

Read the [Release notes](https://docs.pingidentity.com/pingds/release-notes/preface.html) before installing DS software.

Product names changed when ForgeRock became part of Ping Identity. PingDS was formerly known as ForgeRock Directory Services, for example. Learn more about the name changes in [New names for ForgeRock products](https://support.pingidentity.com/s/article/new-names-for-forgerock-products) in the Knowledge Base.