To store information about RPC servers, interfaces, and objects, NSI defines the following directory service entries in the namespace: server entries, groups, and profiles. These directory service entries are CDS objects.
· A server entry is a directory service entry that stores binding information and object UUIDs for an RPC server.
· A group is a directory service entry that corresponds to one or more RPC servers that offer one or more RPC interfaces, type of RPC object, or both in common.
· A profile is a directory service entry that defines search paths in a namespace for a server that offers a particular RPC interface and object.
The use of server entries, groups, and profiles determines how clients view servers. A server describes itself to its clients by exporting binding information associated with interfaces and objects to one or more server entries. A group corresponds to servers that offer a given interface, service, or object. Profiles enable clients to access alternative directory service entries when searching for an interface or object. Used together, groups and profiles offer sophisticated ways for RPC applications to maintain and use directory service data.
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Guidelines for Constructing Names of Directory Service Entries