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Secure Communication Layer for Scalable Networks of Learning Object Repositories

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E-Learning Networked Environments and Architectures

Part of the book series: Advanced Information and Knowledge Processing ((AI&KP))

Abstract

The eduSource Communication Layer (ECL) defines a set of services, middleware, and communication conventions that enable repositories and tools to communicate with each other. ECL was designed and implemented within the scope of the recommendations in the IMS DRI specification. The ECL has been deployed worldwide and connects repositories in Canada, the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom, and Europe. In this chapter we describe the design of ECL, its architecture, and its middleware components. We also describe novel ECL security infrastructure (ECL-SI) for Web services that provide the security framework for object repositories based on a trust federation. The security solution defines security profiles, infrastructure services, and middleware component for a low-barrier adoption by existing repositories. Although this infrastructure can scale to large networks; it is particularly sensitive to the needs of medium-sized and small organizations, which have complex attributes and accessing policies.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Laboratory for Ontological Research School of Interactive Arts and Technology, Simon Fraser University, 13450 102 Avenue, Surrey, BC, V3T 2W1, Canada

    Marek Hatala, Griff Richards, Timmy Eap & Ashok Shah

Authors
  1. Marek Hatala
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  2. Griff Richards
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  3. Timmy Eap
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  4. Ashok Shah
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Computer Engineering, Ecole Polytechnique de Montreal, Canada

    Samuel Pierre PhD

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© 2007 Springer-Verlag London Limited

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Hatala, M., Richards, G., Eap, T., Shah, A. (2007). Secure Communication Layer for Scalable Networks of Learning Object Repositories. In: Pierre, S. (eds) E-Learning Networked Environments and Architectures. Advanced Information and Knowledge Processing. Springer, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-758-9_10

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-84628-758-9_10

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, London

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-84628-351-2

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-84628-758-9

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