Generic proposal for enganging MTOM in WSDL 2.0

One of the issues resulting from the removal of Features and Properties
from WSDL 2.0 is the loss of the ability to make simple assertions to
indicate a feature is engaged.  

Applying such assertions as first class WSDL extension elements,
whilst possible, is unlikely to achieve interoperability in a world
dominated by WS-Policy. 

But supporting the whole of WS-Policy is seen as too high a bar 
for simple processors whose only use-case is applying simple assertions
such as engaging MTOM or Addressing. 

Proposal:

WSDL 2.0 provides an extension attribute which MAY be used to indicate
a WS-Policy attachment is "vanilla", only contains a single set of 
assertions and does not contain any compositors, e.g.:

  <Policy wsdli:simpleAssertions="true">
    <wsoma:OptimizedMimeSerialization /> 
    <wsa:UsingAddressing />
  </Policy>

A non-Policy aware processor may process the wrapped assertions
as just another hop in their XPaths, and yet continue to interoperate
with processors which support the whole of WS-Policy.

In the case of MTOM, there still needs to be a set of extension elements
defined, but there is work in this area, all be it currently 
outside of a recognised standards body [1].

Paul

[1] http://www-128.ibm.com/developerworks/webservices/library/specification/ws-mtom/

Received on Tuesday, 14 November 2006 09:41:14 UTC