9. Technical specifications
9.1. About this section
This section sets out the mandatory and recommended standards required for e-GIF compliance. The abbreviations used in this section are spelt out at the end of the document. There are links in the tables to online resources (usually the standards themselves) that explain more fully what each covers.
9.2. Network
This section covers details of data transport such as network protocols, which is a crucial area for interoperability. Without agreement on networking standards it is hard or impossible to make systems communicate. The e-GIF uses a subset of the widely proven Internet protocol suite.
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Component |
Mandatory |
Recommended |
|
Networks (TCP/IP) |
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Directory |
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File Transfer |
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Mail Transfer |
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Registers |
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Structured data description |
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Metadata (Discovery) |
9.3. Architecture
Architecture covers the technical description of data and processes.
|
Component |
Mandatory |
Recommended |
|
Primary Character Set |
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Graphics File |
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Mail Attachment |
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Hypertext |
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Structured Data |
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Data Transformation |
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File Compression |
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Data Modelling |
9.4. Business Services
Business Services describes the services and data from a business point of view, i.e. mapping the technical components to useful business information.
|
Component |
Mandatory |
Recommended |
|
Metadata (Discovery) |
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Presentation |
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Schemas |
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Structured data description |
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Name and Address |
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Data Modelling |
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Web Services (Description) |
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Modelling (structured data) |
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Geospatial |
GML, WFS, WMS |
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|
Registers |
The following item is likely to be standardised in the near future. Agencies considering implementing an RSS News Feed should contact the Portal Operations Group in EGU for advice.
|
Component |
Mandatory |
Recommended |
|
News Syndication |
9.5. Access and Presentation
Standards and guidelines covering how business systems are presented and accessed by users. The Government Web Guidelines fit here.
|
Component |
Mandatory |
Recommended |
|
General Text and Graphics |
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Geospatial |
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Web design and maintenance |
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Authentication (see below) |
9.5.1. Authentication
The EGU Authentication project is working towards an all-of-government authentication solution. The form and implementation of this will be subject to Cabinet decision in 2004. Agencies wishing to implement any new systems where authentication of individuals or businesses is necessary must contact the EGU for advice.
9.6. Security
Security is shown as crossing all layers to reflect the fact it needs to be designed in to a system, not added as a layer on top. The e-GIF contains standards at the various levels designed to offer different levels of security as appropriate. It also refers to a series of standards and policy statements (the NZSITs) which provide advice and direction on the levels of required.
|
Component |
Mandatory |
Recommended |
|
Security |
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|
Mail Security |
SEE MAIL
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9.7. E-government component architecture
The e-government component architecture comprises a series of actual implementations of useful functions, which are available for re-use by government agencies. These are more fully described elsewhere; however current items are listed below.
|
Component |
Purpose |
Description |
|
Autonomy |
Search Engine |
Metadata and full-text driven searches across Metalogue and whole of government web space or subsets. Agencies and local government can call Autonomy from their own websites and receive results in XML. |
|
Metalogue |
Services and Document Description (metadata) Database |
A web based repository for metadata, used to drive the Portal. |
|
SEE Mail |
Hardened e-Mail |
A gateway-gateway crypto layer running over public e-mail improving confidentiality and authentication. Intended for use between government bodies (including local govt) |
The following components are under development or being tested:
|
Component |
Purpose |
Description |
|
Portal News Feed |
News Syndication |
Uses NZ Government RSS to accept news items from government agencies for display on the Portal. This can also provide a feed of government news for use on agency web sites. |
|
Authentication |
Government to Individual and Government to Business online authentication |
This project is still at the design stage and will be implemented only if Cabinet so decides. If so it will consist of standards, procedures and possibly infrastructure. Agencies designing a system with authentication must contact EGU. |
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