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Re: Meta Directory
Michael Ströder wrote:
> Jehan PROCACCIA wrote:
> > Openldap with backend-meta !
> >
> > see mailling list starting with this message ...
> > http://www.openldap.org/lists/openldap-software/200301/msg00112.html
>
> Isn't that more an LDAP proxy giving on-line access to various data sources
> with name mangling capabilities? A thing some vendors call 'Virtual Directory'?
>
> Whereas meta directories are typically used for syncing data off-line from
> various sources.
>
> Not sure what the original poster was looking for though...
>
> Ciao, Michael.
Thanks for the reply.
A "...successful metadirectory needs to be an information broker with a replication
capability. It needs to run on a variety of platforms including NT, Unix, as well
as the IBM S/390 mainframe. It needs to interoperate with other metadirectory
solutions with support for LDAP, X.500, and Active Directory."*
It seems the definition of a metadirectory hasn't quite been pinned down yet, at
least with the evidence from doing a quick search on google.
I would look for it to be able to operate within a boundary containing multiple,
disparate, data resources each with content to offer an LDAP directory. It would
provide rule based synchronization capabilities such that data changes on any of
the data sources would be distributed to any of the other resources as necessary.
This synchronization would be dynamic and instantaneous. It would also be
independent of the operating platform of the data sources. Optionally, it would
have a GUI based interface to allow easy administration of data sources, and rules
for defining them to the synchronization scheme (this treads on provisioning's turf
a little, hence optional).
As I'm typing this I realize that given my above attempt at a definition LDAP
becomes just another component within a group of data resources. The difference
however is that clients requesting data from within the confines of that data
boundary can rely on the LDAP API's to get the information they need. This implies
then that LDAP would play more of an important role and might then be best to serve
as the focal point for all of the metadirectory's activities.
Please define 'off-line' for me, I want to be sure of what you're describing.
Tod
* http://www.opengroup.org/comm/the_message/magazine/mmv5n4/meta.htm