Development & Implementation Plan
OAIS
Current System
Metadata
Interaction with System

The Open Archival Information System (OAIS) is a reference model for an archive, consisting of an organization of systems and people that have accepted the responsibility to preserve information and make it available for a designated community. Here we describe the OAIS model, its requirements, and how it might map onto the DAMS implementation.

The OAIS Reference model provides a useful checklist of functions in developing an archival repository. This framework, developed in the United States by the Consultative Committee for Space Data Systems, enables professionals from multiple backgrounds to engage in the collaborative process of structuring an efficient system to meet the needs of separate communities while taking advantage of a centralized virtual repository concept.

The OAIS Reference Model illustrates the functions and information flows applicable to a digital archive constructed to maintain safe long-term custody of digital objects. The major functions of the model (Figure 1) are:

Ingest—receipt and verification of records;

Archival Storage—secure storage of records;

Data Management—secure management of records;

Administration—management of internal and external relations;

Preservation—management of record integrity and security over time; and

Access—provision of records in response to user queries.

The OAIS Reference Model does not prescribe any particular implementation. It does not specify a design or implementation plan. Instead, it illustrates the functions and information flows applicable to a repository. OAIS acts as a versatile guide or framework that is customizable for many different applications. Conceivably, multiple repositories can exist and work together in a federated network.

Leading research and development by such groups as the National Partnership for Advanced Computational Infrastructure (NPACI) and the development of the nation-wide Grid computing system indicate that the future of digital libraries and scientific research lies in the cooperation of multiple digital knowledge producing entities through systems of data management that are interoperable with of common underlying assumptions. As the development of a nation-wide grid computing system (NPACI) develops the benefits of a central OAIS modeled Digital Archives and Repository will become increasingly apparent as interaction between digital holdings at different institutions begin to produce more meaningful search and discovery results for researchers. The development of DAMS for the University of Texas at Austin is precisely such a system. Combined support for the system during its early development will better position the University’s digital resources for a place in a larger computing system in the future. The OAIS model also has the advantage of being an ISO international standard.

Other OAIS pages of interest:
Research Libraries Group and OAIS

American Library Association

National Space Science Data Center

OAIS