Enabling customizable World-Wide Web access to X.500 directory

Abstract

This paper deals with the service aspect of X.500 directory services to provide a user-configurable, easy-to-use, and platform-independent directory user interface. To deploy the X.500 white pages service widely, for instance, such an integrated user interface is essential. The availability of powerful World-Wide Web (WWW) clients is already providing this means if they have proper links with the X.500 directory. In this paper, the functionality has been fulfilled by implementing a customizable WWW-X.500 gateway, called Cweb500. It investigates some paramount advantages that the gateway may bring. In our X.500 pilot, the gateway has been utilized satisfactorily with many user-friendly functions, and as an integrated means that combines WWW and X.500 directory services.