A naming context (also known as a directory suffix) is a DN that identifies the top entry in a locally held directory hierarchy.

A new naming context can be created using ODSM, the OUD gui admin console, as described in http://docs.oracle.com/cd/E29407_01/admin.111200/e22648/server_config.htm#CBDGCJGF

It can also be created using the dsconfig command lione as described below: Creation of a new naming context consists in 3 steps:

First create a Local Backend Workflow element (myNewDb in this exemple) ,  responsible for the naming context base dn, e.g o=example.

dsconfig create-workflow-element \
          --set base-dn:o=example \
          --set enabled:true \
          --type db-local-backend \
          --element-name myNewDb \
          --hostname <your host> \
          --port <admin port> \
          --bindDN cn=Directory\ Manager \
          --bindPasswordFile ****** \
          --no-prompt

Second, create a Workflow element (workFlowForMyNewDb in this exemple) associated with the Local Backend Workflow element. WorkFlow elements are used to route LDAP requests to the appropriate database, based on the target base dn.

dsconfig create-workflow \
          --set base-dn:o=example \
          --set enabled:true \
          --set workflow-element:myNewDb \
          --type generic \
          --workflow-name workFlowForMyNewDb \
          --hostname <your host name> \
          --port <admin port>\
          --bindDN cn=Directory\ Manager \
          --bindPasswordFile ****** \
          --no-prompt

Then, the workflow element must be made visible outside of the directory, i.e added to the internal "routing table". This is done by adding the Workflow to the appropriate Network Group. A Network group  is used to classify incoming client connections and route requests to workflows.

dsconfig set-network-group-prop \
          --group-name network-group \
          --add workflow:workFlowForMyNewDb \
          --hostname <your hostname> \
          --port <admin port>\
          --bindDN cn=Directory\ Manager \
          --bindPasswordFile ****** \
          --no-prompt

At that stage, it is possible to import entries to the new naming context o=example.