Introduction to Part 1

Organisation

Part 1, Overview and Core Specifications is structured as follows:

• Introduction (this chapter).

• Platform Model (see Platform Model ).

  Describes the SPIRIT software platform. The platform model identifies common groups of functionality. The standards that make up the SPIRIT core specifications are related to the components described in this model.

• Classification and Use of Specifications (see Classification and Use of Specifications ).

  Provides a taxonomy for classifying standards. The purpose of this taxonomy is to organise specifications for ease of reference. The taxonomy also relates specifications back to the software platform model.

• Specifications/Normative References (see Specifications ).

  Organises references to specifications that constitute SPIRIT according to the specifications taxonomy.

• Profiles (see Profiles ).

  Describes SPIRIT's definition of profiles and itemises the SPIRIT profiles.

Purpose

The SPIRIT general-purpose computing platform defines software that supports a wide variety of application types. The general-purpose computing platform facilitates application portability, interoperability and modularity. Agreement among Service Providers, IT suppliers and ISVs on such a platform is required to meet Service Providers' needs for integrated systems and technology independence in a multi-vendor software environment.

The objective is to provide a core set of specifications for use in each company's purchasing of software components for general-purpose computing platforms. The SPIRIT specifications are based predominantly on widely accepted industry standards. The SPIRIT specifications are expected to be used by participating companies as a basis for their own software procurement starting in the very near term (within 6 to 12 months of publication).

This part provides the complete list of referenced standards and specifications which forms the basis of the SPIRIT Platform and which are described in more detail in the subsequent parts.

Selection of Specifications

The intent of SPIRIT is to adopt and adapt specifications from other sources. The sources of adopted specifications include both standards bodies (for example, ISO, ITU-T, IEEE, and so on) and industry consortia (for example, NMF, X/Open, and so on).

Adaptation is performed only as necessary to:

• ensure consistency among specifications from diverse sources

• harmonise the use of certain specifications within specific usage scenarios

• remove ambiguities and/or inconsistencies within chosen specifications

• limit features and options for reasons of availability within specific timeframes

• limit features and options for technical and/or business reasons.