3 Roadmap to deployment

3.1.1 Much of the work in establishing a Directory service lies in working with the participants to ensure consistency of representation of directory data. Given that the Directory is to be the authoritative source - the place to go to find out where to go - it is vital that the structure and format of the data is agreed upon.

3.1.2 The schema is of some help here, but it is not usually sufficiently prescriptive to control data format to the degree required. Simple things such as whether the protocol type is included in a URL (HTTP for example) or not can make the information inserted by one party unusable by another.

3.1.3 But at the end of the day, the process is as follows:

• Select a Directory Product

• Create a development environment

• Establish a Directory schema in consultation with affected parties

• Establish connectivity

• Load up some data and start evaluating it

• Test capability regarding load, scalability and security

• Review, revise and extend as required.