Methods and systems for asynchronous catalog requests for system objects via secure table look-up

A method, comprising:

• receiving a request for a unique identifier from a requesting entity;
• determining whether a catalog server in a database management system is available to handle the request;
• if the catalog server is not available, determining whether the request is synchronous;
• if the request is synchronous, determining whether the request may be handled asynchronously by determining (i) whether the request is for a restricted unique identifier and (ii) whether the requesting entity has authority to use the restricted unique identifier;
• and
• if the request may be handled asynchronously, providing the request to the catalog server and returning control to the requesting entity.

A signal bearing medium containing a program which, when executed by a processor, performs a method, comprising:

• receiving a request for a unique identifier from a requesting entity;
• determining whether a catalog server in a database management system is available to handle the request;
• if the catalog server is not available, determining whether the request is synchronous;
• if the request is synchronous, determining whether the request may be handled asynchronously by determining (i) whether the request is for a restricted unique identifier and (ii) whether the requesting entity has authority to use the restricted unique identifier;
• and
• if the request may be handled asynchronously, providing the request to the catalog server and returning control to the requesting entity.

A system, comprising:

• a database;
• a server configured to process requests submitted by requesting entities by accessing the database;
• a restricted names table containing restricted unique identifiers;
• at least one first requesting entity configured to submit requests for unique identifiers for database elements and wherein the first requesting entity is authorized to access the restricted names table;
• at least one second requesting entity configured to submit requests for unique identifiers for database elements and wherein the second requesting entity is unauthorized to access the restricted names table;
• and
• a transaction interface configured to (i) determine whether the server is available for processing requests and, (ii) if the server is not available, determine whether a synchronous request may be handled asynchronously.