The following information covers a wide range of Handle System technology topics such as system architecture, security, identifiers and identifier services, and specific aspects of the HANDLE.NET software and its functionality.

Handle System Architecture

A description of the Handle System's two-level hierarchical service model.

Scalability

A discussion of the problem of scalability and how it was addressed in the design of the Handle System, for both storage and performance.

Authentication

The use of encryption in the current distribution of the handle server, digital signatures, server authentication, and establishing 'sessions'.

The Handle System and DNS

A discussion of similarities and differences in the design and use of the two systems.

Handle Syntax

Some examples of the handle namespace, including prefix (naming authority), suffix (unique local name) and character set considerations. (See also RFC 3651.)

Administering Handles

An outline of the handle administrator authentication process, including a description of administrator handles and their values, and 'create handle' requests.

Handle Resolution

How web browsers, and other clients that understand the handle protocol, query the Handle System.

Replication

Overview of handle server replication and mirroring.

Handle Value Types

Description of defined and registered handle types.