The X.500 Directory standard defines protocols and models for a highly distributed database - potentially global in scope and extent - designed to hold information to facilitate communications.

Whilst an X.500 based Directory is general purpose and can hold information on objects of any kind, its most important initial applications involve facilitating communications between applications and people, holding information about the following sorts of objects: applications, people, roles, organisational units, groups, and distribution lists.

Typical information about the objects includes: SMTP and X.400 Email addresses, fax and telephone numbers, photographs, security information (keys and passwords) and objects' capabilities. In principle any organisation can hold a piece of the Directory, typically that concerning its people and processes.

The X.500 standard governs how that piece can be connected to others to give the effect of a global information base, although the actual interconnection will be determined by the security policy of the organisation.

ARCUS Software has an extensive knowledge of the X.500 Directory standard, of its concepts, models, services and protocols. Our team took part in planning, designing and implementing network systems either in corporate environments or for public services including those based on Internet and Web technology.