What is Extensible Name Service (XNS)? - Definition from Whatis.com

Definition

Extensible Name Service (XNS)

Extensible Name Service (XNS) is an open Extensible Markup Language (XML)-based protocol that specifies a way to establish and manage a universal addressing system. An XNS universal address serves as a permanent contact point for an individual or other legal entity, such as a business. XNS can be considered to be an enhanced version of the domain

Learn More

name system (DNS) because it resolves a universal address into any other kind of address, just as DNS resolves a domain name into an IP address.

In conjunction with Web agents (programs that communicate with each other to exchange information autonomously), universal addresses can form the basis for complex automated communications. According to the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C), such autonomous computing is essential for the future development of Web-based commerce.

Here's how it works: The universal address accesses the Web agent, which represents an individual or entity. All changeable contact information such as street address, telephone number, or e-mail address is linked to the permanent universal address and is automatically updated globally when a change occurs.

This was last updated in July 2003

Dig Deeper

  • SOA, semantics and services combine in DoD intelligence sharing effort

    Using textual analytics and natural language processing, Modus Operandi developed a service that analyzes and parses unstructured data and pulls out events or information. Article includes tips on SOA and semantics, SOA and data models, and an SOA recipe for stone soup.Among highlights: Recognize that not everything can be or should be shared.

  • Q&A: Messaging middleware with Apache projects

    In this Q&A, Rob Davies discusses messaging middleware and the hurdles that many developers face as they first approach the subject. Davis is CTO of FuseSource and coauthor of the book "ActiveMQ in Action."

  • An SOA practices checklist for implementation roadmaps

    This article provides a master list of common practices, field proven by a number of SOA projects. Also supplied is a template that can be used as a checklist for developing SOA implementation roadmaps specific to an organization's transition project requirements.

Do you have something to add to this definition? Let us know.

Send your comments to techterms@whatis.com