XML Data Model for LDAP Directory Interoperability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Industry standard Web services protocols such as WS-Transfer and WS-Enumeration do not specify how LDAP-style directory data should be modeled in XML, making it difficult for clients to interact with remote directory services using industry-standard Web services protocols.
Innovation Solution
A computer-implemented method and system that converts LDAP-style directory data into an XML data model, allowing clients to interact with remote directory services using WS-Transfer and WS-Enumeration protocols by generating XML representations of directory objects based on their hierarchical structure, including attributes and synthetic attributes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If industry standard Web services protocols (WS-Transfer, WS-Enumeration) are used to access directory services, then interoperability and ease of operation are improved, but the protocols cannot specify how LDAP-style directory data should be modeled in XML, creating a gap in manufacturing precision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an intermediary mapping layer that translates between LDAP-style directory data structures and XML representations compatible with WS-Transfer and WS-Enumeration protocols. This intermediary mapping enables standard Web services protocols to interact with LDAP directories without requiring protocol modifications, resolving the contradiction by providing both interoperability and precise data modeling through the mapping layer.
2Adaptability or versatility
If LDAP-style directory data is converted to XML data model, then adaptability to Web services protocols is improved, but the conversion process increases device complexity
Solution Approach 1:
The conversion system is segmented into distinct functional components: an XML data model definition layer, a mapping layer that translates LDAP structures to XML, and protocol-specific adaptation layers for WS-Transfer and WS-Enumeration. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by allowing each component to be developed, tested, and maintained independently while working together to provide comprehensive protocol compatibility.
3Loss of information
If hierarchical directory structure is represented in XML with nested elements for attributes, then information completeness is improved, but message size and processing time increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements partial action by allowing clients to request only specific attributes or subsets of directory data through selective XML element retrieval, rather than requiring complete hierarchical structures. This reduces processing time and message size while maintaining information completeness for the requested data, resolving the contradiction between full information representation and efficient processing.
Data Source
AI summary
An XML data model and systems and methods for using the same are described herein that enable entities to interact with a remote directory service, such as an LDAP-style directory service, using industry standard Web services protocols that represent resources using XML, such as WS-Transfer and WS-Enumeration.