Information Technology Reference
In-Depth Information
OAIS Packaging Information is that information which
either actually or logically, binds or relates the components of the package
into an identifiable entity on specific media. For example, if the Content
Information and PDI are identified as being the content of specific files on
a CD-ROM, then the Packaging Information may include the ISO 9660 vol-
ume/file structure on the CD-ROM. These choices are the subject of local
archive definitions or conventions. The Packaging Information does not nec-
essarily need to be preserved by an OAIS since it does not contribute to the
Content Information or the PDI. However, there are cases where the OAIS
may be required to reproduce the original submission exactly. In this case the
Content Information is defined to include all the bits submitted.
The OAIS should also avoid holding PDI or Content Information only in the
naming conventions of directory or file name structures. These structures are
most likely to be used as Packaging Information. Packaging Information is
not preserved by Migration. Any information saved in file names or directory
structures may be lost when the Packaging Information is altered. The subject
of Packaging Information is an important consideration to the Migration of
Information within an OAIS to newer media
.
The contents of a general Information Package is illustrated in Figs.
6.5
and
6.6
.
This general Information Package has
•
Zero or only one piece of Content Information
•
Zero, one or multiple pieces of PDI
•
Exactly one piece of Packaging Information
•
Zero, one or multiple pieces of Packaging Description i.e. there could be many
possible ways to describe the package
The minimal package therefore is empty except for some packaging information,
which might not seem very useful but the definition is at least extremely flexible.
Preservation
Description
Information
Content
Information
Packaging Information
Package 1
Descriptive
Information
About Package 1
Fig. 6.5
Packaging concepts
