RFC 2293 (rfc2293) - Page 2 of 8

Representing Tables and Subtrees in the X

RFC 2293            Table and Subtrees in the X.500           March 1998


1  Representing Flat Tables

   Before considering specific function, a general purpose technique for
   representing tables in the directory is introduced.  The schema for
   this is given in Figure 1.  A table can be considered as an unordered
   set of key to (single or multiple) value mappings, where the key
   cannot be represented as a global name.  There are four reasons why
   this may occur:

   1.  The object does not have a natural global name.

   2.  The object can only be named effectively in the context of
       being a key to a binding.  In this case, the object will be given
       a natural global name by the table.

   3.  The object has a global name, and the table is being used
       to associate parameters with this object, in cases where they
       cannot be placed in the objects global entry.  Reasons why they
       might not be so placed include:

        o  The object does not have a directory entry

        o  There is no authority to place the parameters in the
           global entry

        o  The parameters are not global --- they only make sense
           in the  context of the table.

   4.  It is desirable to group information together as a
       performance optimization, so that the block of information may be
       widely replicated.

   A table is represented as a single level subtree.  The root of the
   subtree is an entry of object class Table.  This is named with a
   common name descriptive of the table.  The table will be located
   somewhere appropriate to its function.  If a table is private to an
   MTA, it will be below the MTA's entry.  If it is shared by MTA's in
   an organization, it will be located under the organization.

   The generic table entry contains only a description.  All instances
   will be subclassed, and the subclass will define the naming
   attribute.  Two subclasses are defined:









Kille                       Standards Track