Patent ID: 8365204
Filing Date: 2013-01-29
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
1. A method for applications to acquire directory service information from a heterogeneous set of directory service systems comprising: identifying a unification point comprising software executing on hardware having an API interface for accepting and conveying directory service messages; the unification point receiving a plurality of directory service information requests, wherein information corresponding to the requests is maintained in a plurality of different heterogeneous directory service systems, wherein each request comprises a unique identifier specific to the unification point, wherein the each of the plurality of heterogeneous directory service systems provide directory service access to information stored in a plurality of database systems; for each directory service request, the unification point querying an identification communion table to determine a unique identifier for a unique one of the heterogeneous directory service systems that maintains directory service information able to satisfy the directory service request; for each directory service request, the unification point generating a directory service request comprising the determined unique identifier and conveying the generated directory service request to the determined one of the heterogeneous directory service systems via an API specific to that directory service system; for each directory service request, the determined one of the heterogeneous directory service systems sending a data storage request to a determined one of the plurality of database systems; for each directory service request, the determined one of the plurality of database systems processing the data storage request; for each directory service request, the determined one of the heterogeneous directory service systems receiving a response from the determined plurality of database systems; for each directory service request, the unification point receiving a response from the determined one of the heterogeneous directory service systems via an API specific to that directory service system; and for each directory service request, the unification point generating a directory service response comprising the unique identifier specific to the unification point and conveying the generated directory service response to a requesting entity via the unification point API.