Here is my contribution to the requested definitions.
--
Directory service = a software system that responds to requests for information about
entities, e.g. people in an organization. It's a system for managing access to
computer resources, keeping track of the users of a network,... from a single point of
administration. It allows a network administrator to set up and control a database of
users and resources and manage them using a directory (by example with an easy-to-use
GUI, Graphical User Interface). Users, computers, sites,... can be added, updated and
managed centrally ; applications can be distributed electronically.
Microsoft Active Directory, Network Information Service (NIS), Novell Directory
Service (NDS) and X.500 are examples of directory services.
--
Address registry = a registry of numbers or addresses with some corresponding data,
e.g. names. Such a registry helps maintain names, which are identifiers that are
mapped to numbers or addresses.
Let's say a Directory Service is multi-dimensional, in the sense it involves many
types of data, many levels of information you have to search in, while an Address
Registry has one dimension, in the sense it just maps addresses to their corresponding
name, like a telephone registry, DNS, WINS, the "hosts" file or the "lmhosts" file.
--
So, what is DNS? In the TCP/IP world, the Domain Name System (DNS) is a distributed
database that provides the mapping between IP addresses and hostnames. It's just an
address registry.
--
E.T.
-----Original Message-----
From: Gabriel Landowski [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
For the sake of a good discussion can we please have a
definition of "directory service" and "address
registry" to make sure we are all on the same page.
I think we will find that defining these may be the
issue, and this will clarify the discussion to
something that we can get our arms around.
Gabriel Landowski
Mindangle Consulting
--- "Durah, Kheder" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
> Dear Colleagues.
>
> This is my first transmission to IETF, and would
> like to second the fact
> that DNS is an address registry and not a directory
> service.
>
> RGDS
>
> Kheder Durah, Ph.D.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
> As I recall, didn't we (members of the IETF list)
> almost have a holy (flame)
> war, about wheather DNS was a directory service
> about 6 months ago......
>
> Once more into the breech dear friends........ (with
> apologies to
> Shakespeare)
>
> Jim
>
>
> Randy Bush <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> on 12/08/2000 08:49:24 PM
>
> Sent by: Randy Bush <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
>
> > Buzzt. 1000 times on the chauk board:
> > The DNS is not a directory service...
>
> but it's an address registry?
