IEC 62656-8:2020

Overview

IEC 62656-8:2020 defines a web service interface for data parcels aimed at facilitating the standardized exchange and management of product ontology data conformant to IEC 62656-1. This part 8 of the IEC 62656 series specifies a comprehensive interface between parcel servers and clients, or between parcel servers themselves, enabling seamless communication and data transfer of product ontology registers.

The standard encompasses three fundamental services:

• Parcel registration
• Parcel resolution
• Parcel subscription

IEC 62656-8 ensures consistent interaction protocols and data representations using both JSON and XML schemas. However, it explicitly excludes aspects such as user authentication, query language definitions, transport protocols, and security mechanisms, focusing strictly on interface specification.

Key Topics

• Holistic Use Scenarios: The standard presents end-to-end usage scenarios demonstrating interactions between servers and clients and inter-server communication, optimizing understanding of service implementations.

• Parcel Web Service Specification:

  • Registration Service: Register new data parcels with defined messaging structures.
  • Resolution Service: Retrieve parcels based on search criteria.
  • Subscription Service: Enable notification of parcel updates through subscriptions.

• Exception Management: Defines a naming convention and a hierarchy for standard exceptions to handle errors effectively.

• Data Representation:

  • Detailed JSON and XML notation schemas facilitate flexible data parcel encoding.
  • Reserved keywords guide structure including class header, schema header, and data sections.
  • Codification modes and intended language instructions allow customization within data parcels.

• Schemas and Examples:

  • Normative JSON and XML schema definitions ensure interoperability.
  • Informative annexes provide practical examples, assisting implementers in correct data formatting.

• Web Service Descriptions: Uses WADL (Web Application Description Language) and WSDL (Web Services Description Language) to represent the interface, allowing automated client generation and integration.

Applications

IEC 62656-8:2020 is essential for organizations involved in standardized product ontology management and exchange, particularly in industrial, manufacturing, and supply chain domains where:

• Consistent ontology registers enable accurate product definition, classification, and data interoperability.
• Web services require standardized protocols to register, resolve, and subscribe to product data parcels across distributed systems.
• Integration of product data from multiple sources needs seamless data parcel transfers using universally accepted JSON or XML formats.
• Developers seek a clear guideline for implementing web service interfaces facilitating communication between ontology data providers and consumers.

This standard supports digital transformation initiatives, smart manufacturing, and Industry 4.0 implementations by providing an interoperable framework for product ontology data sharing using web technologies.

Related Standards

• IEC 62656-1: Provides the foundational specifications for standardized product ontology registers and data parcels, which IEC 62656-8 extends with web service interface definitions.

• IEC 62656 series: The complete series covers various aspects of product ontology management, ensuring a comprehensive approach to industrial data exchange.

• Web Service Standards:

  • WSDL and WADL for service description and interoperability.
  • JSON and XML standards for structured data representation.

• Data Security and Transport Protocols: While IEC 62656-8 excludes these, related standards like ISO/IEC 27001 (Information Security) and HTTP/HTTPS protocols often complement it in implementation.

Keywords: IEC 62656-8:2020, product ontology register, data parcels, web service interface, parcel registration service, parcel resolution service, parcel subscription service, JSON schema, XML schema, standardized data exchange, industrial ontology data, product data interoperability, IEC standards.