draft XACML TC FAQ page

[Anne Anderson <Anne.Anderson@Sun.com>]

Attached is a draft FAQ to link off our XACML TC web page.
This is just a straw person to trigger thoughts about what should
be here, what shouldn't, etc.  I would like the FAQ to reference
other locations as much as possible for information that can
change, such as lists of our working drafts, names of TC chairs,
etc.  That will minimize the maintenance work for the TC web page
maintainer (i.e. me).

Anne
-- 
Anne H. Anderson             Email: Anne.Anderson@Sun.COM
Sun Microsystems Laboratories
1 Network Drive,UBUR02-311     Tel: 781/442-0928
Burlington, MA 01803-0902 USA  Fax: 781/442-1692

Title: OASIS XACML TC FAQ

OASIS XACML TC FAQ

1. What is the XACML TC?

   It is a Technical Committee of the OASIS standards organization focussed on development of a standard access control policy language. "XACML" stands for "eXtensible Access Control Markup Language". The full charter is at http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/xacml/charter.php.

2. What has the XACML TC produced to date?

   In February of 2003, OASIS approved XACML Version 1.0 as an OASIS Standard. In August of 2003, the XACML TC approved XACML Version 1.1 as an OASIS Committee Specification. The TC has not yet determined whether this should advance to OASIS Standard (not because it is not good enough :-), but because it contains only clarifications and minor changes, and does not change the Version 1.0 schemas).

   Links to these documents are available on the XACML TC public home page at http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/tc_home.php?wg_abbrev=xacml .

3. What are the current activities of the XACML TC?

   There are pointers to our current working drafts on the XACML TC public home page at http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/tc_home.php?wg_abbrev=xacml . These include XACML profiles for web services policy, XML Digital Signature, and Role Based Access Control.

   In addition, the TC is working on major extensions to XACML that would go into XACML 2.0. Periodically, a list of the current work items under consideration is posted to the XACML TC mailing list.

4. Where are the archives for the XACML TC mailing lists?

   The archives are located at http://lists.oasis-open.org/archives/xacml/ . These are publicly viewable.

   There is also a mailing list of comments received, primarily during the public review period leading up to the 1.1 standard. This mailing list is archived at http://lists.oasis-open.org/archives/xacml-comment/ .

5. Who can join the XACML TC?

   Anyone who is an individual member of OASIS or is from a company that is an OASIS organization member may join.

6. What types of XACML TC membership exist?

   We have "Prospective Members", "Voting Members", and "Observer" members. Voting members start out as "Prospective Members", and obtain full voting membership after 7 days plus the passage of 3 XACML TC meetings following their request to join the TC. Voting members must then attend 2 out of every 3 bi-weekly meetings in order to retain their voting status. Observers can participate fully in the XACML mailing list discussions, but can not vote.

7. How do I join the XACML TC?

   Send e-mail to one or both of the XACML TC Co-Chairs, requesting to become either a "Prospective Member" or an "Observer". Please request "Prospective Member" status only if you intend to attend bi-weekly XACML TC meetings regularly, since non-participating members make it hard for us to reach quorum at our meetings.

   The co-chairs and their e-mail addresses are listed on the XACML TC public home page at http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/tc_home.php?wg_abbrev=xacml .

8. When are the XACML TC meetings?

   General Body meetings are held every other week. Usually there is an informal Focus Group meeting on alternate weeks at the same time, used to delve into particular topics in detail. The schedule for meetings is located at http://www.oasis-open.org/committees/calendar.php?wg_abbrev=xacml .

9. What if I want to participate in XACML e-mail discussions, but can't attend bi-weekly meetings?

   Individuals eligible to join the XACML TC may join the TC as "observers". See How do I join the XACML TC? .

   Anyone may submit e-mail to the XACML comments mailing list at xacml-comment@lists.oasis-open.org .