Global names have the following key characteristics:
· Location independence - Location independence refers to the ability of one network object (such as a user or application) to use another network object's resources (such as a server) without needing to know the object's physical location or its network address.
· Name scope - Name scope refers to the context within which an object's name has meaning. If a cell is registered in a global directory service, then all objects in the cell have a global scope and can be used in intercell communications. Otherwise, names have only cellwide scope and can be used in intracell communications. In intercell communications, objects can be used beyond the confines of a single directory, device, node, cluster, LAN or WAN, extending beyond the individual cell to cells on a different WAN, in a different city, or in a different country.