Metadata in directory service systems and methods

Abstract

A method and apparatus for implementing directory services, such as X.500 and LDAP in a SQL environment, and for providing a desired level of indexing, extensibility and scalability. In the directory service system, a plurality of objects are defined to be hierarchical, and the relationships among objects follow a tree structure where each object has a parent object and except for a root, each parent can have zero or more children. The database comprises at least one table having a plurality of rows and columns and stores a plurality of data items, each having a value, each being related to one of a plurality of data types and each having attributes defined by the directory. The attributes of the directory are arranged in a row-per-data type and value format, resulting in a representation identified as meta-data, wherein values are represented per row by data type: identifying one of said plurality of data types, syntax: identifying the nature of the data type, and value: identifying the data value. In the application of metadata to directory services, such as X.500 or LDAP, a ‘PROPERTY table’ is provided in which object name and parent name is added to the ‘principal design’. Other arrangements of tables and attributes provide for the achievement of the system goals.

We claim:  
     
         1 . In a directory service system, which utilizes a database comprising at least one table having a plurality of rows and columns, said database comprising a plurality of data items, each having a value, each being related to one of a plurality of data types and each having attributes defined by the directory, the method of managing said database comprising: 
 arranging the attributes of the directory in a row-per-data type and value type format.    
     
     
         2 . A method as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the row-per-data type and value format is provided for at least three columns comprising: 
 data type: identifying one of said plurality of data types,    syntax: identifying the nature of the data type, and    value: identifying the data value.    
     
     
         3 . A method as claimed in  claim 2  wherein each of the plurality of data items are defined as related to a specified object, identified by a respective object name, and said row-per-data type and value format is provided for a fourth column comprising an object name.  
     
     
         4 . A method as claimed in  claim 3  wherein said specified objects are defined in a hierarchical structure comprising at least a parent name, and said parent name is provided in a fifth column.  
     
     
         5 . A method as claimed in  claim 4  wherein the relationships among a plurality of objects follow a tree structure, where each object has a parent object and, except where the parent is a root, each parent can have zero or more children.  
     
     
         6 . A method as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein one of said plurality of tables is an ATTRIBUTE table and further comprising: 
 providing an identifier for each data type; and    storing the type and syntax in an ATTRIBUTE table together with said identifier.    
     
     
         7 . A method as claimed in  claim 6 , further comprising the step of: 
 storing a corresponding identifier and ‘value’ in other tables of the directory.    
     
     
         8 . A method as claimed in  claim 6  further including the step of providing at least one of SEARCH, ENTRY and BLOB tables for the storing row-per-data-value format.  
     
     
         9 . A method as claimed in  claim 7  further including the step of providing at least one of SEARCH, ENTRY and BLOB tables for the storing row-per-data-value format.  
     
     
         10 . A method of storing attributes of a directory having the form ‘type’, ‘syntax’, ‘value’ the method including the step of: 
 storing the ‘type’ and ‘syntax’ in an ATTRIBUTE table together with an identifier.  
 
     
     
         11 . A method as claimed in  claim 10 , further including the step of: 
 storing a corresponding identifier and ‘value’ in other tables of the directory.    
     
     
         12 . A method as claimed in  claim 11 , further including the step of providing a PROPERTY table, which includes object name and parent name as well as metadata.  
     
     
         13 . A method of representing, storing and/or processing directory services, which contain objects having attributes, the improvement comprising at least one of representing, storing and processing the attributes in the form of type, syntax, and value.  
     
     
         14 . A relational database comprising: 
 at least one table with a plurality of columns, said at least one table supporting the Structured Query Language (SQL), said table having data represented therein in a row per data type and value format.    
     
     
         15 . A directory service system comprising: 
 a database comprising at least one table having a plurality of rows and columns, said database comprising a plurality of data items, each having a value, each being related to one of a plurality of data types and each having attributes defined by the directory, wherein the attributes of the directory are arranged in a row-per-data type and value format.    
     
     
         16 . A directory service system as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the row-per-data type and value format is provided for at least three columns comprising: 
 data type: identifying one of said plurality of data types,    syntax: identifying the nature of the data type, and    value: identifying the data value.    
     
     
         17 . A directory service system as claimed in  claim 16  wherein each of the plurality of data items are defined as related to a specified object, identified by a respective object name, and said row-per-data and value type format is provided for a fourth column comprising an object name.  
     
     
         18 . A directory service system as claimed in  claim 17  wherein said specified objects are defined in a hierarchical structure comprising at least a parent name, and said parent name is provided in a fifth column.  
     
     
         19 . A directory service system as claimed in  claim 15 , further comprising: 
 means for arranging the attributes of the directory in said row-per-data and value type format.    
     
     
         20 . A directory service system as claimed in  claim 19 , wherein one of said plurality of tables is an ATTRIBUTE table, and further comprising: 
 means for providing an identifier for each data type; and    means for storing the type and syntax in said ATTRIBUTE table together with said identifier.    
     
     
         21 . A directory service system as claimed in  claim 20 , further comprising: 
 means for storing a corresponding identifier and ‘value’ in other tables of the directory.    
     
     
         22 . A directory service system as claimed in  claim 20 , further including at least one of SEARCH, ENTRY and BLOB tables for the storing row-per-data type and value format.  
     
     
         23 . A directory service system as claimed in  claim 21 , further including at least one of SEARCH, ENTRY and BLOB tables for the storing row-per-data type and value format.  
     
     
         24 . A directory service system as claimed in  claim 15  further comprising 
 means for providing database services for said table using a database Structured Query Layout (SQL) language.  
 
     
     
         25 . A directory service system, which utilizes a database comprising at least one table having a plurality of rows and columns, said database comprising a plurality of data items, each having a value, each being related to one of a plurality of data types, and each having an attribute, the improvement wherein said attributes are represented in a row-per-data type and value format in the form per row of at least: 
 type syntax value.    
     
     
         26 . An attribute, for use in a directory service system, which utilizes a database comprising at least one table having a plurality of rows and columns, said database comprising a plurality of data items, each having a value, each being related to one of a plurality of data types, said attribute being represented in a row-per-data type and value format in the form per row of at least: 
 type syntax value.    
     
     
         27 . A directory service system which defines a plurality of objects to be hierarchical, and the relationships among objects follow a tree structure where each object has a parent object and except for a root, each parent can have zero or more children, comprising: 
 a database comprising at least one table having a plurality of rows and columns, said database comprising a plurality of data items, each having a value, each being related to one of a plurality of data types and each having attributes defined by the directory, wherein the attributes of the directory are arranged in a row-per-data type and value format; and    means for implementing a plurality of data services for said database.    
     
     
         28 . A directory service system as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein the row-per-data type and value format is provided for at least three columns comprising: 
 data type: identifying one of said plurality of data types,    syntax: identifying the nature of the data type, and    value: identifying the data value.    
     
     
         29 . A directory service system as claimed in  claim 28  wherein each of the plurality of data items are defined as related to a specified object, identified by a respective object name, and said row-per-data type and value format is provided for a fourth column comprising an object name.  
     
     
         30 . A directory service system as claimed in  claim 29  wherein a parent name is provided in a fifth column.  
     
     
         31 . A directory services system as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein said means for implementing provides X.500 or LDAP directory services and said database comprises an SQL database.  
     
     
         32 . A directory service system as claimed in  claim 27 , further comprising: 
 means for arranging the attributes defined by the directory in said row-per-data type and value format.    
     
     
         33 . A directory service system as claimed in  claim 32  including an ATTRIBUTE table into which ‘type’ and ‘syntax’ can be stored.  
     
     
         34 . A directory service system as claimed in  claim 31 , further comprising: 
 means for storing a corresponding identifier and ‘value’ in other tables of the directory.    
     
     
         35 . A directory service system as claimed in  claim 27 , wherein at least some of said data values are binary.  
     
     
         36 . A directory service system implementing the method of any one of  claims 1  to  13 .  
     
     
         37 . A method as claimed in any one of claims  1 - 13  wherein said method further comprises providing database services for said table using a database Structured Query Layout (SQL) language.  
     
     
         38 . A method as claimed in any one of claims  1 - 13 , wherein said directory services comprise X.500 or LDAP directory services.  
     
     
         39 . A directory service system as claimed in any one of claims  15 - 35  wherein the system is a X.500 or LDAP directory service system.  
     
     
         40 . A directory services system as claimed in claims  15 - 35 , wherein said database comprises an SQL database.  
     
     
         41 . A computer program product comprising a computer program storage medium containing therein a computer program operable in accordance with the method recited in any one of claims  1 - 13 . 
 The invention as herein disclosed.