OVERVIEW
This is a new effort being bootstrapped in the open source IdM for Higher Ed space, that arose from some meetings in Denver at the Jasig + ACAMP conferences (Spring 2011). The motivating issue is the continuing lack of a complete IdM solution meeting HE needs, whether open source or commercial. For some, the loss of the Sun IdM suite has made this lack feel even more acute. The general idea of the activity is to better coordinate work on existing IdM products and focus and align them towards this common goal.
After a subsequent summit between members of Internet2, Kuali, Jasig, UCTrust, Penn State, Duke and Indiana in Chicago in early August of 2011, an initial agreement to jointly move forward was reached to research and document recommended solutions to the gaps in the IAM open source space. The findings of which will be reviewed in mid-September, after which the next steps, resources and funding needs are expected to be much clearer.
MISSION
To provide an affordable, scalable, robust, integrated suite of IAM community source solutions for Higher Education.
COLLABORATIVE STRUCTURE
The initial structure of this new collaboration has been intentionally lightweight and flexible in order to expand and morph as needed over time. The founding group has been divided into 4 work groups focused on the following; Strategy and Organization, Repositories (Identity Reconciliations and Identity Store), Provisioning and Access Management. Until at least mid-September, the founding group will meet monthly via conference call and the work groups will meet weekly, comprised of members from the various open source organizations.
Once the finding are reviewed and next steps, resources and funding needs are known, the organizational structure may become more formal to ensure clear decision making, reporting and accountability.
GUIDING DEVELOPMENT PRINCIPLES
- Solutions are developed to open standards
- The organizations will jointly prioritize the work
- Development should be driven by outreach and respond to actual University needs
- (Please add other principles here)
STATEMENT OF WORK
The current, interim, statement of work is for the work groups focused on researching solutions to report back at a meeting of the founding group in mid-September,2011 with their analysis of the gaps and recommendations to solve them. The founding group will then debate the feasibility of moving forward with proposals and possibly RFPs to address the gaps, agreeing to work jointly toward the goal of providing a comprehensive, community source IAM solution for Higher Education.
Meanwhile, the Strategy and Organizational work group needs to propose a model/s for ongoing collaboration between the organizations, including the inclusion of new membership (including vendors).
TIMELINE
Reporting and Findings are due at the Mid-September meeting of the founding group.
POTENTIAL BARRIERS
The following barriers (either perceived or real) need to be addressed. (Please put potential solution as a sub-bullet beneath each potential barrier)
- Ongoing maintenance model for jointly developed code
- This engagement could be viewed as exclusionary
AUTHORS
- Keith Hazelton, Benn Oshrin, Dedra Chamberlain, Bob Morgan, Bill Yock, Jacob Farmer, Hampton Sublett and Tom Barton