Abstract: A distributed directory service for an on-line services network comprises multiple, separate services, referred to as “Directory Service Providers,” running on respective groups of application servers. Each Directory Service Provider stores and provides access to a respective hierarchical directory structure, with nodes of the directory structures representing the various on-line services and other content entities which may be accessed by end users of the network. Junction point nodes are used to provide user-transparent links between the different directory structures, so that the directory structures appear to end users as a single, hierarchical directory. A common application program interface (API) is implemented by all Directory Service Providers, allowing client applications running on computers of end users to access the different directory structures using a common set of software methods.

Abstract: A distributed directory service for an online services network. The directory service comprises multiple, separate services, referred to as “Directory Service Providers.” Each Directory Service Provider stores and provides access to a respective hierarchical directory structure, with nodes of the directory structures representing the various on-line services and other content entities which may be accessed by end users of the network. A common application program interface is implemented by all Directory Service Providers, allowing client applications running on computers of end users to access the different directory structures using a common set of software methods. Various forms of node filtering, including language-based filtering and access rights filtering, are performed by the Directory Service Providers to determine which nodes to show end users.

Abstract: A distributed directory service for an on-line services network comprises multiple, separate services, referred to as “Directory Service Providers,” running on respective groups of application servers. Each Directory Service Provider stores and provides access to a respective hierarchical directory structure, with nodes of the directory structures representing the various on-line services and other content entities which may be accessed by end users of the network. Junction point nodes are used to provide user-transparent links between the different directory structures, so that the directory structures appear to end users as a single, hierarchical directory. A common application program interface (API) is implemented by all Directory Service Providers, allowing client applications running on computers of end users to access the different directory structures using a common set of software methods.

Abstract: A distributed directory service for an online services network comprises multiple, separate services (Directory Service Providers) runs on application servers and provides access to a respective hierarchical directory structure. Nodes of directory structures representing online services may be accessed by end users of the network. Junction point nodes provide usertransparent links between the different directory structures which appear to end users as a single hierarchical directory. A common application program interface (API) implemented by the Directory Service Providers allows client applications to access the different directory structures using a common set of software methods. Data items shared by multiple nodes are optionally stored by the Directory Service Providers within a shared database and can be accessed via special API methods. Nodes are selected for display to end users using various forms of node filtering at the Directory Service Providers.

Abstract: A distributed directory service for an on-line services network comprises multiple, separate services, referred to as “Directory Service Providers,” running on respective groups of application servers. Each Directory Service Provider stores and provides access to a respective hierarchical directory structure, with nodes of the directory structures representing the various on-line services and other content entities which may be accessed by end users of the network. Junction point nodes are used to provide user-transparent links between the different directory structures, so that the directory structures appear to end users as a single, hierarchical directory. A common application program interface (API) is implemented by all Directory Service Providers, allowing client applications running on computers of end users to access the different directory structures using a common set of software methods.

Abstract: A distributed directory service for an on-line services network comprises multiple, separate services, referred to as “Directory Service Providers,” running on respective groups of application servers. Each Directory Service Provider stores and provides access to a respective hierarchical directory structure, with nodes of the directory structures representing the various on-line services and other content entities which may be accessed by end users of the network. Junction point nodes are used to provide user-transparent links between the different directory structures, so that the directory structures appear to end users as a single, hierarchical directory. A common application program interface (API) is implemented by all Directory Service Providers, allowing client applications running on computers of end users to access the different directory structures using a common set of software methods.

Abstract: A generic transaction replication service receives update transactions from individual application servers, and forwards the update transactions for processing to all application servers that run the same service application, thereby enabling each application server to maintain a replicated copy of service content data. Upon receiving an update transaction, the application servers perform the specified update, and asynchronously report back to the transaction replication service on the "success" or "failure" of the transaction. When inconsistent transaction results are reported by different application servers, the transaction replication service uses a voting scheme to decide which application servers are to be deemed "consistent," and takes inconsistent application servers off-line for maintenance. Each update transaction replicated by the transaction replication service is stored in a transaction log.