Robust Data Synchronization with IBM Tivoli Directory Integrator

Chapter 2. Architecting an enterprise data synchronization solution 35

2.6 Who are the players in the solution

Just as no two organizations are the same, neither are two different

synchronization projects. What is common to both though is a subset of

responsibilities that historically are found in every Tivoli Directory Integrator

production deployment.

This may lead to further training and planning activities, as well as clearing up

confusion over

who owns what. The assignment of these responsibilities to

individuals within an organization is a key part of the success of a production

deployment, as is the training of those individuals to a standard where they can

comfortably fulfill their duties.

For the purposes of outlining these responsibilities, we consider four

standard

departments

that typically exist in most companies with a significant IT

infrastructure. The final identified group for this exercise is the vendor. This is not

always the case, however, it is relatively easy to map this model to the operations

of the individual environment.

1. IT Infrastructure Group

This group is commonly responsible for:

– Responsible for enterprise directory infrastructure, mapping schemas, and

supporting applications.

– Evaluating and introducing new technologies into a company.

– Be the internal advocate for the components in the software infrastructure.

– Providing troubleshooting and internal training services beyond normal

operations capabilities.

– Provide the interface to vendors when product faults or advanced

questions arise.

2. System Administrators / Operations

This group is commonly responsible for:

– Managing the day-to-day requirements of operating systems and process

monitoring.

– Backup, restore, and disaster recovery.

– First line of troubleshooting.

3. Data Management/Security

This group is commonly responsible for:

– Determine and implement identity data management policy for

applications.

36 Robust Data Synchronization with IBM Tivoli Directory Integrator

– Determine and implement security policy for applications.

– Develop and implement user and group administration tasks.

– Understand, implement, and execute security audit procedures.

4. Application owners

This group is commonly responsible for:

– Implement and manage business applications that rely on the

synchronized data infrastructure.

– Provide application-level troubleshooting.

5. Software Vendors

This group is commonly responsible for:

– Provide software components of the infrastructure.

– Provide planning and (sometimes) implementation services.

– Provide detailed technical support.

– Provide information about lifecycles of the software components for

customer planning input (for example, release and end-of-service

timeframes).

2.6.1 Common roles and responsibilities

The following charts outline the typical IBM Tivoli Directory Integrator

administration roles and responsibilities as well as the groups that typically own

and participate in those roles.

First let us take a look the systems operations responsibilities.

Table 2-1 Systems operations

Task/Responsibility Owner / Implementer Other Contributors

Define goal of the integration. This

usually includes the definition of the

business objective and the translation

of the business objective into concrete

directory integration definitions.

IT Infrastructure Group Each organization should provide

a representative to provide input

for this task.

Define the data that must flow and the

authoritative source for each data

element that will be managed.

IT Infrastructure Group Each organization should provide

a representative to provide input

for this task.

Chapter 2. Architecting an enterprise data synchronization solution 37

Define IBM Tivoli Directory Integrator

AssemblyLine to accomplish specified

task.

Data Management /

Security

IT Infrastructure Group and

Software Vendor to

specify/provide procedures. Data

Management/Security to provide

requirements input. Application

owners to assist with application

integration requirements.

Build prototype IBM Tivoli Directory

Integrator AssemblyLine to accomplish

specified task.

Data Management /

Security

IT Infrastructure Group and

Software Vendor to

specify/provide procedures. Data

Management / Security and

Application owners to specify /

provide procedures. System

administration / operations

personnel to over look operation

input.

Test prototype IBM Tivoli Directory

Integrator AssemblyLine to accomplish

specified task.

Data Management /

Security

IT Infrastructure Group to specify

/ provide procedures. System

administration / operations to

provide test specification input.

Deploy IBM Tivoli Directory Integrator

AssemblyLine to accomplish specific

task.

System Administration /

Operations

IT Infrastructure Group and

Software Vendors to specify /

provide procedures. Application

owners to assist with application

integration.

Monitor deployed IBM Tivoli Directory

Integrator AssemblyLine to ensure

proper operation and to monitor for any

error conditions.

System Administration /

Operations

IT Infrastructure Group and Data

Management / Security to provide

information about monitoring and

alerts requirements.

Correct any detected IBM Tivoli

Directory Integrator AssemblyLine

error conditions that occur.

System Administration /

Operations

IT Infrastructure Group and Data

Management / Security to provide

error recovery procedures.

Application owners to provide

troubleshooting assistance with

application integration.

Audit running integrated directory

infrastructure to ensure compliance to

business rules.

Data Management /

Security

System administration /

operations to assist with audits

and control review.

Monitor and maintain IBM Tivoli

Directory Integrator server health.

System Administration /

Operations

Software Vendors to provide best

practice information.

Task/Responsibility Owner / Implementer Other Contributors