Subject: Missing link?

From: [email-masked] (Frank Chin)
Date: Thu, 11 Nov 1993 18:08:43 -0800

I am a little bit confused and lost in this "CPI-C Changes for Use of 
Distributed Directory".  

    The document describes enhancements to CPI-C that are required for use 
of a distributed directory.   It talks about Distinguished Name, Program 
Function Identifier, X.500 environment, DCE environment, etc.  

    I don't know much about X.500 and DCE but as far as I know that they are 
currently available on TCP/IP network and  NOT available on the APPN 
network. So, what does this mean?  Does it mean that a CPI-C program which 
uses distributed directory service can only be on TCP/IP network?? ( Dual 
communication protocol stacks with both TCP/IP and APPN coexisted in one box 
 does not sound a good idea, does it?)   Does it also mean that if this 
CPI-C program choose LU6.2 option (instead of OSI-TP), then you need an 
"Multi-Protocol Transport Network" so that it can access an X.500 or 
DCE-based distributed directory???

    Isn't true that APPC network node offers directory service?  What kind 
of directory service does it provide?  Does it provide directory service 
just for routing need?  Shouldn't it expand to provide "yellow-page" type 
directory service?  

   Related issue:  I have received a copy of CPI-C version 2.0 Second  
Review Draft, it does not include the support of distributed directory.  
Will the support of distributed directory be in CPI-C version 2.0?  If the 
answer is yes, then my next questions are: when are we going to have a 
"final" version of CPI-C version 2.0? Are we going to have it before it is 
submitted to X/Open for review?