The XML Application Development team at IBM's alphaWorks lab has released an 'XRR' data management tool which supports registration, searching, and delivery for XML resources. The IBM XML Registry/Repository (XRR) is "a data management system that manages and provides services for XML artifacts including schemes (DTD, XSD), stylesheets (XSL) and instance documents (WSDL). User can use XRR to obtain an XML artifact automatically, search or browse for an XML artifact, deposit an XML artifact with or without related data, and register an XML artifact without deposit. The XRR 'Registry' service is "where organizations submit and register DTDs, schemes, stylesheets, and other types of XML documents. Once approved, these documents are referred to as registered objects. The registry provides a search of registered objects based on their metadata. Registry facilities include (1) Registration: An organization must first register itself with the registry as a submitting organization (SO) before it can make submissions. SO make submissions through one of its contacts whose role is referred to as a submitter. The 'submitter' must always be authenticated. Only an SO can make submissions. (2) Search and Retrieval Registered Object: Anyone can search the registry for registered objects based on their matadata. No authentication is required. (3) Administration: A Registry Administrator can change user status and get the registry content. The 'Repository' service "provides access to registered objects. Through the repository, a user can download a registered object using standard identifiers (URLs)." The current version of XRR runs on Windows NT, Windows 2000, Linux, AIX, and Solaris; it supports basic Servlet/JSP functionality.

An 'XML Registry/Repository Tutorial' included in the distribution clarifies that the registry and repository "are two separate systems. A registry can approve and manage submissions for multiple repositories. The main purpose of the registry is to ensure that only trusted content is populated in the repository. The registry manages a business processes including submission approval and populating the repository. The main purpose of the repository is to serve up what is registered at any point in time..."

The IBM XML Registry/Repository system requires: (1) JDK 1.2.2 or higher; (2) Xerces 1.3 or higher -- binaries only; (3) Xalan 2.0 or higher -- binaries only; (4) com.oreilly.servlet package [COS-29Oct2000.zip].

IBM alphaWorks: "alphaWorks' mission is to provide early adopter developers direct access to IBM's emerging 'alpha-code' technologies. We are dedicated to surfacing the latest software technologies for you to download and evaluate. alphaWorks is redefining the way IBM conducts new product development by involving you in the earliest stages, before integration into products, or becoming licensing opportunities..."