ISO/IEC 9594-3:2008
(Main)Information technology — Open Systems Interconnection — The Directory: Abstract service definition — Part 3:
Information technology — Open Systems Interconnection — The Directory: Abstract service definition — Part 3:
ISO/IEC 9594-3:2008 defines in an abstract way the externally visible service provided by the Directory. It does not specify individual implementations or products.
Technologies de l'information — Interconnexion de systèmes ouverts (OSI) — L'annuaire: Définition du service abstrait — Partie 3:
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INTERNATIONAL ISO/IEC
STANDARD 9594-3
Sixth edition
2008-12-15
Information technology — Open Systems
Interconnection — The Directory:
Abstract service definition
Technologies de l'information — Interconnexion de systèmes ouverts
(OSI) — L'annuaire: Définition du service abstrait
Reference number
ISO/IEC 9594-3:2008(E)
©
ISO/IEC 2008
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ISO/IEC 9594-3:2008(E)
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ISO/IEC 9594-3:2008(E)
CONTENTS
Page
Foreword . v
Introduction . vi
1 Scope. 1
2 Normative references . 1
2.1 Identical Recommendations | International Standards. 1
2.2 Other references. 2
3 Definitions . 2
3.1 Basic Directory definitions. 2
3.2 Directory model definitions. 2
3.3 Directory information base definitions. 2
3.4 Directory entry definitions . 2
3.5 Name definitions. 3
3.6 Distributed operations definitions. 3
3.7 Abstract service definitions . 3
4 Abbreviations . 4
5 Conventions . 4
6 Overview of the Directory service. 4
7 Information types and common procedures. 5
7.1 Introduction . 5
7.2 Information types defined elsewhere. 5
7.3 Common arguments. 6
7.4 Common results. 9
7.5 Service controls . 9
7.6 Entry information selection . 12
7.7 Entry information. 15
7.8 Filter . 16
7.9 Paged results. 19
7.10 Security parameters . 21
7.11 Common elements of procedure for access control. 22
7.12 Managing the DSA Information Tree . 24
7.13 Procedures for families of entries . 25
8 Bind and Unbind operations . 26
8.1 Directory Bind. 26
8.2 Directory Unbind . 28
9 Directory Read operations. 28
9.1 Read. 29
9.2 Compare . 31
9.3 Abandon . 33
10 Directory Search operations. 33
10.1 List. 33
10.2 Search. 37
11 Directory Modify operations. 47
11.1 Add Entry. 47
11.2 Remove Entry . 49
11.3 Modify Entry . 51
11.4 Modify DN . 54
12 Errors. 56
12.1 Error precedence. 56
12.2 Abandoned . 57
12.3 Abandon Failed . 57
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ISO/IEC 9594-3:2008(E)
Page
12.4 Attribute Error. 58
12.5 Name Error. 58
12.6 Referral. 59
12.7 Security Error. 60
12.8 Service Error. 60
12.9 Update Error . 62
13 Analysis of search arguments. 63
13.1 General check of search filter . 63
13.2 Check of request-attribute-profiles. 65
13.3 Check of controls and hierarchy selections. 66
13.4 Check of matching use . 67
Annex A – Abstract Service in ASN.1. 68
Annex B – Operational semantics for Basic Access Control . 79
Annex C – Examples of searching families of entries . 92
C.1 Single family example. 92
C.2 Multiple families example. 93
Annex D – External ASN.1 module . 96
Annex E – Amendments and corrigenda. 100
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ISO/IEC 9594-3:2008(E)
Foreword
ISO (the International Organization for Standardization) and IEC (the International Electrotechnical
Commission) form the specialized system for worldwide standardization. National bodies that are members of
ISO or IEC participate in the development of International Standards through technical committees
established by the respective organization to deal with particular fields of technical activity. ISO and IEC
technical committees collaborate in fields of mutual interest. Other international organizations, governmental
and non-governmental, in liaison with ISO and IEC, also take part in the work. In the field of information
technology, ISO and IEC have established a joint technical committee, ISO/IEC JTC 1.
International Standards are drafted in accordance with the rules given in the ISO/IEC Directives, Part 2.
The main task of the joint technical committee is to prepare International Standards. Draft International
Standards adopted by the joint technical committee are circulated to national bodies for voting. Publication as
an International Standard requires approval by at least 75 % of the national bodies casting a vote.
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of patent
rights. ISO and IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.
ISO/IEC 9594-3:2008 was prepared by Joint Technical Committee ISO/IEC JTC 1, Information technology,
Subcommittee SC 6, Telecommunications and information exchange between systems, in collaboration with
ITU-T. The identical text is published as ITU-T Rec. X.511 (11/2008).
This sixth edition cancels and replaces the fifth edition (ISO/IEC 9594-3:2005), which has been technically
revised.
ISO/IEC 9594 consists of the following parts, under the general title Information technology — Open Systems
Interconnection — The Directory:
⎯ Part 1: Overview of concepts, models and services
⎯ Part 2: Models
⎯ Part 3: Abstract service definition
⎯ Part 4: Procedures for distributed operation
⎯ Part 5: Protocol specifications
⎯ Part 6: Selected attribute types
⎯ Part 7: Selected object classes
⎯ Part 8: Public-key and attribute certificate frameworks
⎯ Part 9: Replication
⎯ Part 10: Use of systems management for administration of the Directory
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ISO/IEC 9594-3:2008(E)
Introduction
This Recommendation | International Standard, together with the other Recommendations | International Standards, has
been produced to facilitate the interconnection of information processing systems to provide directory services. A set of
such systems, together with the directory information that they hold, can be viewed as an integrated whole, called the
Directory. The information held by the Directory, collectively known as the Directory Information Base (DIB), is
typically used to facilitate communication between, with or about objects such as application entities, people, terminals,
and distribution lists.
The Directory plays a significant role in Open Systems Interconnection, whose aim is to allow, with a minimum of
technical agreement outside of the interconnection standards themselves, the interconnection of information processing
systems:
• from different manufacturers;
• under different managements;
• of different levels of complexity; and
• of different ages.
This Recommendation | International Standard defines the capabilities provided by the Directory to its users.
This Recommendation | International Standard provides the foundation frameworks upon which industry profiles can be
defined by other standards groups and industry forums. Many of the features defined as optional in these frameworks,
may be mandated for use in certain environments through profiles. This sixth edition technically revises and enhances,
but does not replace, the fifth edition of this Recommendation | International Standard. Implementations may still claim
conformance to the fifth edition. However, at some point, the fifth edition will not be supported (i.e., reported defects
will no longer be resolved). It is recommended that implementations conform to this sixth edition as soon as possible.
This sixth edition specifies versions 1 and 2 of the Directory protocols.
The first and second editions specified only version 1. Most of the services and protocols specified in this edition are
designed to function under version 1. However some enhanced services and protocols, e.g., signed errors, will not
function unless all Directory entities involved in the operation have negotiated version 2. Whichever version has been
negotiated, differences between the services and between the protocols defined in the six editions, except for those
specifically assigned to version 2, are accommodated using the rules of extensibility defined in ITU-T Rec. X.519 |
ISO/IEC 9594-5.
Annex A, which is an integral part of this Recommendation | International Standard, provides the ASN.1 module for the
Directory abstract service.
Annex B, which is not an integral part of this Recommendation | International Standard, provides charts that describe
the semantics associated with Basic Access Control as it applies to the processing of a Directory operation.
Annex C, which is not an integral part of this Recommendation | International Standard, gives examples of the use of
families of entries.
Annex D, which is not an integral part of this Recommendation | International Standard, includes an updated copy of an
external ASN.1 module referenced by this Directory Specification.
Annex E, which is not an integral part of this Recommendation | International Standard, lists the amendments and defect
reports that have been incorporated to form this edition of this Recommendation | International Standard.
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ISO/IEC 9594-3:2008 (E)
INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
ITU-T RECOMMENDATION
Information technology – Open Systems Interconnection –
The Directory: Abstract service definition
1 Scope
This Recommendation | International Standard defines in an abstract way the externally visible service provided by the
Directory.
This Recommendation | International Standard does not specify individual implementations or products.
2 Normative references
The following Recommendations and International Standards contain provisions which, through reference in this text,
constitute provisions of this Recommendation | International Standard. At the time of publication, the editions indicated
were valid. All Recommendations and Standards are subject to revision, and parties to agreements based on this
Recommendation | International Standard are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent
edition of the Recommendations and Standards listed below. Members of IEC and ISO maintain registers of currently
valid International Standards. The Telecommunication Standardization Bureau of the ITU maintains a list of currently
valid ITU-T Recommendations.
2.1 Identical Recommendations | International Standards
– ITU-T Recommendation X.200 (1994) | ISO/IEC 7498-1:1994, Information technology – Open Systems
Interconnection – Basic Reference Model: The Basic Model.
– ITU-T Recommendation X.500 (2008) | ISO/IEC 9594-1:2008, Information technology – Open Systems
Interconnection – The Directory: Overview of concepts, models and services.
– ITU-T Recommendation X.501 (2008) | ISO/IEC 9594-2:2008, Information technology – Open Systems
Interconnection – The Directory: Models.
– ITU-T Recommendation X.509 (2008) | ISO/IEC 9594-8:2008, Information technology – Open Systems
Interconnection – The Directory: Public-key and attribute certificate frameworks.
– ITU-T Recommendation X.518 (2008) | ISO/IEC 9594-4:2008, Information technology – Open Systems
Interconnection – The Directory: Procedures for distributed operation.
– ITU-T Recommendation X.519 (2008) | ISO/IEC 9594-5:2008, Information technology – Open Systems
Interconnection – The Directory: Protocol specifications.
– ITU-T Recommendation X.520 (2008) | ISO/IEC 9594-6:2008, Information technology – Open Systems
Interconnection – The Directory: Selected attribute types.
– ITU-T Recommendation X.521 (2008) | ISO/IEC 9594-7:2008, Information technology – Open Systems
Interconnection – The Directory: Selected object classes.
– ITU-T Recommendation X.525 (2008) | ISO/IEC 9594-9:2008, Information technology – Open Systems
Interconnection – The Directory: Replication.
– ITU-T Recommendation X.530 (2008) | ISO/IEC 9594-10:2008, Information technology – Open Systems
Interconnection – The Directory: Use of systems management for administration of the Directory.
– ITU-T Recommendation X.680 (2008) | ISO/IEC 8824-1:2008, Information technology – Abstract
Syntax Notation One (ASN.1): Specification of basic notation.
– ITU-T Recommendation X.681 (2008) | ISO/IEC 8824-2:2008, Information technology – Abstract
Syntax Notation One (ASN.1): Information object specification.
– ITU-T Recommendation X.682 (2008) | ISO/IEC 8824-3:2008, Information technology – Abstract
Syntax Notation One (ASN.1): Constraint specification.
ITU-T Rec. X.511 (11/2008) 1
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ISO/IEC 9594-3:2008 (E)
– ITU-T Recommendation X.683 (2008) | ISO/IEC 8824-4:2008, Information technology – Abstract
Syntax Notation One (ASN.1): Parameterization of ASN.1 specifications.
2.2 Other references
– IETF RFC 2025 (1996), The Simple Public-Key GSS-API Mechanism (SPKM).
– IETF RFC 4422 (2006), Simple Authentication and Security Layer (SASL).
3 Definitions
For the purposes of this Recommendation | International Standard, the following definitions apply.
3.1 Basic Directory definitions
The following terms are defined in ITU-T Rec. X.500 | ISO/IEC 9594-1:
a) Directory;
b) Directory Information Base;
c) (Directory) User.
3.2 Directory model definitions
The following terms are defined in ITU-T Rec. X.501 | ISO/IEC 9594-2:
a) Directory System Agent;
b) Directory User Agent.
3.3 Directory information base definitions
The following terms are defined in ITU-T Rec. X.501 | ISO/IEC 9594-2:
a) alias entry;
b) Directory Information Tree;
c) (Directory) entry;
d) immediate superior;
e) immediately superior entry/object;
f) object;
g) object class;
h) object entry;
i) subordinate;
j) superior;
k) ancestor;
l) family (of entries);
m) compound entry.
3.4 Directory entry definitions
The following terms are defined in ITU-T Rec. X.501 | ISO/IEC 9594-2:
a) attribute;
b) attribute type;
c) attribute value;
d) attribute value assertion;
e) context;
f) context type;
g) context value;
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ISO/IEC 9594-3:2008 (E)
h) operational attribute;
i) user attribute;
j) matching rule.
3.5 Name definitions
The following terms are defined in ITU-T Rec. X.501 | ISO/IEC 9594-2:
a) alias, alias name;
b) distinguished name;
c) (directory) name;
d) purported name;
e) relative distinguished name.
3.6 Distributed operations definitions
The following terms are defined in ITU-T Rec. X.518 | ISO/IEC 9594-4:
a) bound DSA;
b) chaining;
c) initial performer;
d) referral.
3.7 Abstract service definitions
For the purposes of this Recommendation | International Standard, the following definitions apply.
3.7.1 additional search: A search that starts from joinBaseObject as specified by the originator in the search
request.
3.7.2 contributing member: A family member within a compound entry, which made a contribution to either a
Read, Search or Modify Entry operation.
3.7.3 explicitly unmarked entry: An entry or a family member that is excluded from the SearchResult according
to a specification given in a control attribute referenced by the governing-search-rule.
3.7.4 family grouping: A set of members of a compound attribute that are grouped together for the purpose of
operation evaluation.
3.7.5 filter: An assertion about the presence or value of certain attributes of an entry in order to limit the scope of a
search.
3.7.6 originator: The user that originated an operation.
3.7.7 participation member: A family member that is either a contributing member or is a member of a family
grouping that as a whole matched a search filter.
3.7.8 primary search: The search that starts from baseObject as specified by the originator in the search request.
3.7.9 relaxation: A progressive modification of the behaviour of a filter during a search operation so as to achieve
more matched entries if too few are received, or fewer matched entries if too many are received.
3.7.10 service controls: Parameters conveyed as part of an operation, which constrain various aspects of its
performance.
3.7.11 strand: A family grouping comprising all the members in a path from a leaf family member up to the ancestor
inclusive. A family member will reside in as many strands as there are leaf family members below it (as immediate or
non-immediate subordinates).
3.7.12 streamed result: A result of a single operation that is included in multiple responses.
ITU-T Rec. X.511 (11/2008) 3
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ISO/IEC 9594-3:2008 (E)
4 Abbreviations
For the purposes of this Recommendation | International Standard, the following abbreviations apply.
AVA Attribute Value Assertion
DIB Directory Information Base
DIT Directory Information Tree
DMD Directory Management Domain
DSA Directory System Agent
DUA Directory User Agent
RDN Relative Distinguished Name
5 Conventions
The term "Directory Specification" (as in "this Directory Specification") shall be taken to mean ITU-T Rec. X.511 |
ISO/IEC 9594-3. The term "Directory Specifications" shall be taken to mean the X.500-series Recommendations and all
parts of ISO/IEC 9594.
This Directory Specification uses the term first edition systems to refer to systems conforming to the first edition of the
Directory Specifications, i.e., the 1988 edition of the series of CCITT X.500 Recommendations and the
ISO/IEC 9594:1990 edition.
This Directory Specification uses the term second edition systems to refer to systems conforming to the second edition
of the Directory Specifications, i.e., the 1993 edition of the series of ITU-T X.500 Recommendations and the ISO/IEC
9594:1995 edition.
This Directory Specification uses the term third edition systems to refer to systems conforming to the third edition of the
Directory Specifications, i.e., the 1997 edition of the series of ITU-T X.500 Recommendations and the ISO/IEC
9594:1998 edition.
This Directory Specification uses the term fourth edition systems to refer to systems conforming to the fourth edition of
the Directory Specifications, i.e., the 2001 editions of ITU-T Recs X.500, X.501, X.511, X.518, X.519, X.520, X.521,
X.525, and X.530, the 2000 edition of ITU-T Rec. X.509, and parts 1-10 of the ISO/IEC 9594:2001 edition.
This Directory Specification uses the term fifth edition systems to refer to systems conforming to the fifth edition of the
Directory Specifications, i.e., the 2005 edition of the series of ITU-T X.500 Recommendations and the ISO/IEC
9594:2005 edition.
This Directory Specification uses the term sixth edition systems to refer to systems conforming to the sixth edition of the
Directory Specifications, i.e., the 2008 edition of the series of ITU-T X.500 Recommendations and the ISO/IEC
9594:2008 edition.
This Directory Specification presents ASN.1 notation in the bold Helvetica typeface. When ASN.1 types and values are
referenced in normal text, they are differentiated from normal text by presenting them in the bold Helvetica typeface.
The names of procedures, typically referenced when specifying the semantics of processing, are differentiated from
normal text by displaying them in bold Times. Access control permissions are presented in italicized Times.
If the items in a list are numbered (as opposed to using "–" or letters), then the items shall be considered steps in a
procedure.
6 Overview of the Directory service
As described in ITU-T Rec. X.501 | ISO/IEC 9594-2, the services of the Directory are provided through access points to
DUAs, each acting on behalf of a user. These concepts are depicted in Figure 1. Through an access point, the Directory
provides service to its users by means of a number of Directory operations.
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ISO/IEC 9594-3:2008 (E)
Figure 1 – Access to the Directory
The Directory operations are of three different kinds:
a) Directory Read operations, which interrogate a single Directory entry;
b) Directory Search operations, which interrogate potentially several Directory entries; and
c) Directory Modify operations.
The Directory Read operations, the Directory Search operations and the Directory Modify operations are specified in
clauses 9, 10, and 11, respectively. Conformance to Directory operations is specified in ITU-T Rec. X.519 |
ISO/IEC 9594-5.
7 Information types and common procedures
7.1 Introduction
This clause identifies, and in some cases defines, a number of information types which are subsequently used in the
definition of Directory operations. The information types concerned are those which are common to more than one
operation, are likely to be in the future, or which are sufficiently complex or self-contained as to merit being defined
separately from the operation which uses them.
Several of the information types used in the definition of the Directory Service are actually defined elsewhere.
Subclause 7.2 identifies these types and indicates the source of their definition. Each of the subclauses (7.3 through
7.10) identifies and defines an information type.
This clause also specifies some common elements of procedure that apply to most or all of the Directory operations.
7.2 Information types defined elsewhere
The following information types are defined in ITU-T Rec. X.501 | ISO/IEC 9594-2:
a) Attribute;
b) AttributeType;
c) AttributeValue;
d) AttributeValueAssertion;
e) Context;
f) ContextAssertion;
g) DistinguishedName;
h) Name;
i) OPTIO
...
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