A Distributed Directory Database System for Telecommunications
S. M. Deen · The Computer Journal · 1988
Distributed directory systems are intended to facilitate communications within the ISO/OSI framework, by holding network addresses and other relevant details of what are called communication entities, on an international scale. They can be viewed as constituting a distributed database system in a loosely couple framework. An interesting departure of directory system from the traditional DDBs is the absence of any global directory of data distribution, which often forces the directory system to use a navigational or a multicasting search strategy based on hints or partial knowledge. Such a strategy must also prevent the search from ending up in blind alleys or cyclic loops. There are also some special problems relating to issues such as aliases, synonyms, confidentially and updates. The directory system described here is based on the architecture of the PRECI* distributed database system and was developed under contract for British Telecom. The architecture has been developed to conform to emerging international standards for directory systems as developed by CCITT and ISO. (The architecture described here is based on the standard as of early 1986). Detailed functional specifications have been produced and an implementation, based on the specifications, is being planned.