When you see the following error in the VIP EG logs:
ERROR "2012-03-13 12:28:03.453 GMT-0500" 127.0.0.1 vipegconsole f5b960d277346130 18476 "actor=XXXXXX,text=Could not bind to the directory server.,op=setuserstore
VsException [error=18476] [javax.naming.CommunicationException: simple bind failed: partnerldap-a.studentloan.org:636 [Root exception is javax.net.ssl.SSLHandshakeException: sun.security.validator.ValidatorException: PKIX path building failed: sun.security.provider.certpath.SunCertPathBuilderException: unable to find valid certification path to requested target]]
at com.symantec.ldap.BaseLdapClient.getConnection(BaseLdapClient.java:60)
at com.symantec.ldap.BaseLdapClient.reConnect(BaseLdapClient.java:92)
Resolution:
Create a SSL certificate, install it and enbale SSL for the User Store Authentication.