1. A method of operating an embedded directory server and an embedded directory database, the method comprising: providing a processing unit on a substrate, wherein the embedded directory server and the embedded database are included on said substrate with the processing unit; providing an input/output unit on said substrate; releasably coupling a portable memory device to said substrate via the input/output unit, wherein the portable memory device is configured to store a portable directory database; initiating operation of the embedded directory server; and performing read and write operations on the portable memory device to retrieve data from said portable directory database.