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Re: Grouping Attributes Together



concerning attributes as SEQUENCE OF Values, Erik wrote

> 
> David, what would it take to get this through the ITU and how long would
> it take?
> 

The ITU-T is as formalised as the IETF is becoming :-). The current 
work was started by the PTTs some while ago to solve their 
international directory enquiries problems using an enhanced 
X.500/LDAP protocol. The work is becoming reasonably stable and 
there is a document output from Beijing that will shortly be 
available for 3 month PDAM ballot. This document will be available 
on the Bull server for comment by national bodies AND BY THE 
IETF, who have liaison status. The plan is to hold a ballot 
resolution meeting about April time in Orlando. (Pity it could not 
have been December :-)

Three possible approaches have been suggested,
one based on contexts (though this is the least favoured and will 
probably be dropped), one on compound attributes and one on 
families of entries. No preference has been expressed for either of 
the latter two, which is why I am soliciting comments from the 
LDAP group. No other approaches such as SEQUENCE of 
attribute values has been suggested. The IETF is however quite 
able to supply a ballot comment suggesting this alternative 
approach if it thinks it is the best solution. I guess the IETF would 
defer to the LDAP group initially to suggest the best workable 
solution to the problem.

What is absolutely certain is that the 2000 version of X.500 will 
have a solution to the related attributes problem contained within it. 
I would like to see is a solution that both the LDAP group and the 
X.500 group can both agree is a sensible, workable, solution 
meeting the needs of all the users. Hence this discussion.

I am not sure that SEQUENCE of values is a solution to the 
problem for reasons stated earlier, but if the LDAP group as a 
whole does think so, then you should submit a fully worked out 
solution as a ballot comment to the next meeting in April.

Hope this reply helps

David

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David Chadwick
IT Institute, University of Salford, Salford M5 4WT
Tel +44 161 295 5351  Fax +44 161 745 8169
Mobile +44 370 957 287
Email D.W.Chadwick@iti.salford.ac.uk
Home Page  http://www.salford.ac.uk/its024/chadwick.htm
Understanding X.500  http://www.salford.ac.uk/its024/X500.htm
X.500/LDAP Seminars http://www.salford.ac.uk/its024/seminars.htm

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