XMS supports three types of administered object directory: File System, Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP) and COS naming.
File System object directories take the form of serialized Java and Naming Directory Interface (JNDI) objects. LDAP object directories are any directories that contain JNDI objects. File System and LDAP object directories can both be administered using the JMSAdmin tool available with WebSphere MQ. Both these object directories can be used to administer client connections by centralizing WebSphere MQ connection factories and destinations. This allows the network administrator to deploy multiple applications that all refer to the same central repository, and that automatically update themselves to reflect changes to connection settings made in the central repository.
A COS naming directory contains WebSphere service integration bus connection factories and destinations and can be administered using the WebSphere Application Server administrative console. In order for an XMS application to be able to retrieve objects from the COS naming directory, a JNDI lookup web service must be deployed.