Method for managing a directory, controller, system including servers, and computer program

A controller for managing a directory stored on at least one server, wherein

• the directory includes a plurality of entries arranged in a tree structure, each entry including at least one attribute;
• the directory is configured so that a first entry can include an attribute pointing to a second entry, here referred to as target entry, the first entry being then here referred to as alias entry of the target entry;
• and
• the controller includes
• an assignor configured for assigning to an application an owner role in relation to an alias entry, an application to which an owner role is assigned in relation to an alias entry being here referred to as owner of the alias entry, and wherein each alias entry can belong to one or more owner applications;
• a receiver configured for receiving a request, from an application which is either owner of the alias entry or not, to delete the alias entry;
• and,
• a determiner configured for determining if a condition, here referred to as deletion condition, is satisfied, and, if so,
• when the deletion condition includes that the application is the only owner of the alias entry, deleting the alias entry;
• and
• when the deletion condition includes that the application is not the only owner of the alias entry, releasing the owner role for the application in relation to the alias entry.

A server including a directory, wherein

• the directory includes a plurality of entries arranged in a tree structure, each entry including at least one attribute;
• the directory is configured so that a first entry can include an attribute pointing to a second entry, here referred to as target entry, the first entry being then here referred to as alias entry of the target entry;
• the directory further includes at least one of an attribute associated with a target entry, the attribute including a value representing a number of applications using the target entry, so that it can be determined based on the attribute whether an application is or not the only user of the target entry;
• and an attribute associated with an alias entry, the attribute including a value representing a number of applications owning the alias entry, so that it can be determined based on the attribute whether an application is or not the only owner of the alias entry;
• wherein, if the application is the only owner of the alias entry, the alias entry can be deleted, upon deletion request;
• and
• wherein, if the application is not the only owner of the alias entry, the application can be discounted from the number of applications owning the alias entry, upon deletion request.

A system including

• at least one server, here referred to collectively as directory server, including a directory, the directory including a plurality of entries arranged in a tree structure, each entry including at least one attribute, and the directory being configured so that a first entry can include an attribute pointing to a second entry;
• a server, here referred to as controller server, including a controller
• wherein the controller includes:
• an assignor configured for assigning to an application an owner role in relation to an alias entry, an application to which an owner role is assigned in relation to an alias entry being here referred to as owner of the alias entry, and wherein each alias entry can belong to one or more owner applications;
• a receiver configured for receiving a request, from an application which is either owner of the alias entry or not, to delete the alias entry;
• and,
• a determiner configured for determining if a condition, here referred to as deletion condition, is satisfied, and, if so,
• when the deletion condition includes that the application is the only owner of the alias entry, deleting the alias entry;
• and
• when the deletion condition includes that the application is not the only owner of the alias entry, releasing the owner role for the application in relation to the alias entry;
• and
• at least one server, each referred to here as application-hosting server, each hosting at least one application configured to interact with the directory server through the controller server, and configured at least to send a request, to the controller server, to delete an alias entry of the directory.