Interoperation


Interoperation allows repositories which use similar data models to share metadata with each other. The shared metadata objects are automatically linked into the catalog of the repository which creates the interoperation.

In the figure above, the objects maintained at Repository A are linked into the catalog of Repository B as a result of an interoperation created at Repository B. Note that the catalog links point to the *remote* objects. When someone clicks the link to view the object they retrieve that object from the repository you interoperate with, not from your repository. This ensures that the information in your catalog is always current, and also ensures that the repository which maintains the object controls its appearance and access permissions. The class of linked objects is dictated by the primary class of the repository which creates the interoperation (Repository B in the figure above).

Clicking on the Interoperation tab will show the current status of the repository's interoperations. This area is called the Interoperations browser and will be empty until an interoperation has been created. See help on Creating Interoperations for instructions on how to set up a new interoperation. The "Refresh" button contacts the RIB server and updates the list. This is especially important if more than one person administrates the repository.

The Interoperations browser shows the update interval for each interoperation. The "Last Attempt" column shows the last time an attempt was made to start the interoperation, and what the results of that attempt were. To inspect or change the properties of an interoperation, select (left-click) it and then right-click it. CTRL+left-click or SHIFT+left-click will allow selection of multiple interoperations.