Overview
ISO/IEC 14771:1999 - "Information technology - Open Distributed Processing - Naming framework" defines a general, context‑relative naming framework for Open Distributed Processing (ODP). Published in 1999 (identical to ITU‑T Recommendation X.910), the standard refines naming concepts from Part 2 of the ODP Reference Model and describes the functions and relationships needed to manage names across a federation of different naming systems. It covers naming in the infrastructure, in applications built on that infrastructure, and in the enterprise served by the system.
Key topics and technical requirements
- Context‑relative naming: Establishes how names depend on context and how naming contexts relate to each other.
- Name management and federation: Identifies and characterizes the functions necessary to handle names when multiple, heterogeneous naming systems interoperate (federation).
- Name resolution and communication: Defines the processes and relationships for resolving names, exchanging naming information and supporting name lookup across boundaries.
- Naming components: Discusses name spaces, name syntax, naming actions, name composition and mapping between name spaces.
- Relationship to ODP‑RM: Refines concepts introduced in Part 2 of the ODP Reference Model and positions naming as a cross‑cutting concern for ODP systems.
- Scope of application: Applies to naming in infrastructure, applications and enterprise models - supporting both technical and organizational naming needs.
(The standard’s annexes are informational; implementers should consult the full text for normative definitions.)
Practical applications and users
ISO/IEC 14771:1999 is useful for professionals designing or integrating distributed systems where multiple naming schemes must coexist or interoperate:
- Enterprise architects establishing consistent naming policies across systems.
- System integrators and middleware designers building federated name services, directory bridges or name‑resolution gateways.
- Software engineers implementing context‑aware naming, name mapping and resolution mechanisms in distributed applications.
- Standards bodies and consultants aligning naming practices with ODP principles and cross‑system interoperability requirements.
Adopting this naming framework helps ensure predictable name resolution, clearer name semantics across federated systems, and better alignment between infrastructure, application and enterprise naming.
Related standards
- Part 2 of the ODP Reference Model (naming concepts referenced and refined in ISO/IEC 14771)
- ITU‑T Recommendation X.910 (identical text to ISO/IEC 14771:1999)
Keywords: ISO/IEC 14771:1999, Open Distributed Processing, naming framework, context‑relative naming, ODP‑RM, name management, naming federation, name resolution, distributed systems.