Method and system for ranking services in a web services architecture

Abstract

A method for ranking services in a web services architecture and a web services architecture are provided. The web services architecture has a hierarchy of services ( 401, 406, 408, 410 ) with a root originating service requestor ( 401 ) and a service of a first level in the hierarchy calling a service of a lower level. The originating service requestor ( 401 ) indicates a preference regarding one or more services and a ranking machine ( 405 ) provides a choice algorithm based on the preference. The originating service requestor ( 401 ) invokes services of one or more levels of hierarchy. At each level of the hierarchy ( 401, 406, 408, 410 ), a service uses a directory ( 411 ) to find a set of possible lower-level services and the ranking machine ( 405 ) applies the choice algorithm to the set of possible lower-level services. In one embodiment, the set of possible lower-level services is referred to the ranking machine ( 405 ) from the directory ( 411 ) and a preferred sequence is returned by the ranking machine ( 405 ) to the directory ( 411 ).

1 - 12 . (canceled) 
     
     
         13 . A data processing system implementing a web services architecture comprising:
 a root originating service requester;   a hierarchy of services in which a service of a first level calls a service of a lower level;   a directory for finding services in the hierarchy;   a ranking machine configured to apply a choice algorithm for services based on the originating service requestor's preference regarding one or more services; wherein,   at each level of the hierarchy, the directory provides a set of possible services and the ranking machine applies the choice algorithm to provide a sequence of preferred services.   
     
     
         14 . The data processing system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the lower-level services are service requesters or service providers. 
     
     
         15 . The data processing system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein
 the ranking machine is connected to the directory by a port and the set of possible services is referred to the ranking machine by the directory and the sequence of preferred services is returned to the directory by the ranking machine.   
     
     
         16 . The data processing system as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein a service of a first level finds a service of a lower level by means of a UDDI directory. 
     
     
         17 . The data processing system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the ranker machine has a port on the UDDI directory and processes flows turning TModel bags into a selected set of TModels. 
     
     
         18 . The data processing system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein each UDDI operation is referred to the ranking machine and returned as a sequence conforming with the service requestor's preference. 
     
     
         19 . The data processing system as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein underlying UDDI application code carries out the referral and appends the location of the ranker machine to subsequent XML flow. 
     
     
         20 . (canceled)