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C H A P T E R52
Chapter Goals
• Provide a brief introduction to object-oriented information modeling.
• Provide a brief introduction to directories.
• Provide a brief overview of DEN.
• Show how DEN will be used in Cisco products.
Directory-Enabled Networking
Directory-enabled networking is not a product or even a technology. Rather, it is a philosophy that uses
the Directory-Enabled Networks (DEN) specification to bind services available in the network to clients
using the network. The DEN specification enables applications to leverage the capabilities of the
network as well as better support the needs of the applications using it.
DEN is in reality two things:
1. A specification of an object-oriented information model that models network elements and services
as part of a managed environment in a repository-independent fashion
2. A mapping of this information to a form that is suitable for implementation in a directory that uses
LDAP or X.500 as its access protocol
More information on directory-enabled networking can be obtained from the book Directory Enabled
Networks, by John Strassner.
Object-Oriented Information Modeling
An information model is fundamentally different than a data model or a schema (Figure
52-1). Here are definitions of each:
• Data model—A concrete representation of the characteristics of a set of related objects in terms
appropriate to a specific data storage and access technology
• Schema—A set of data models that describe a set of related objects to be managed
•
Information model—A technology-independent specification of the characteristics of a set of
objects, and their relationships to other objects in a managed environment, with no reference to
storage methods, access protocols, or specific type of repositories
52-1
rnetworking Technologies Handbook
Chapter 52
Directory-Enabled Networking
Object-Oriented Information Modeling
Figure 52-1 Information Models, Data Models, and Schemata
The primary purpose of the information model is to define a single univers