TASKS UNDERTAKEN BY EDINA
[SCHEDULE 3]
  1. Overview
    1. Each Party performs tasks which constitute parts of The UK Access Management Federation for Education and Research (the UK federation).
    2. The Parties participate in regular teleconferences to discuss progress, issues arising and other matters as may be relevant. EDINA ensures that JANET(UK) is kept informed of all significant technical developments
    3. The tasks undertaken by EDINA are described in this Schedule; these include metadata management, entity registration and amendment, preservation of federation integrity, technical support, documentation, federation Discovery Service (WAYF), federation website, statistics, policy, security and development.
    4. EDINA technical operations staff may draw on the advice of EDINA’s JISC-funded Expert Group on Access Management regarding any aspect of technical operation.
  2. Metadata management
    1. EDINA created and manages the UK federation metadata repository and repository mirror, including secure storage and backup.
    2. EDINA implements secure mechanisms and procedures for the production of signed federation metadata.
    3. EDINA creates and signs the UK federation metadata for publication.
    4. EDINA maintains a permanent record of all verified entity registration information in the metadata repository.
    5. EDINA technical operations work in conjunction with the Expert Group to maintain and develop the tools necessary to manage the UK federation metadata.
  3. Entity registration and amendment
    1. EDINA receives and processes requests for entity registration and for amendment to existing entity registrations, including simple changes in contact details. Either type of request may be received from JANET(UK) or from the Member directly in which case JANET(UK) is notified.
    2. EDINA verifies that the person issuing the request is authorised to do so in any cases where doubt arises. If necessary the appropriate Member contact is consulted to confirm the requested change.
    3. EDINA checks the registration request for validity, completeness, and accuracy. If the information presented is not technically adequate EDINA will interact with the Member to rectify any deficiencies.
    4. On completion of a Member’s entity registration request, EDINA informs the Member that the request has been implemented and notifies JANET(UK).
  4. Preservation of federation integrity
    1. EDINA works to ensure federation integrity by undertaking periodic validation of end-point certificates to identify weaknesses. EDINA also resolves any inaccuracy discovered in a member’s registered contact details for key personnel.
    2. For certain types of registration request EDINA will verify the request by technical confirmation via telephone interview, using a telephone number obtained from an independent source.
    3. EDINA maintains a broad concern for federation integrity; for example, a registration request will be refused if it is judged to expose other members to unacceptable risk.
  5. Technical support
    1. EDINA receives and responds to member requests for technical support; these may be sent via JANET(UK) or received directly from the Member.
    2. EDINA technical support activities includes: advice on procedure and software configuration; problem analysis and fault diagnosis; questions concerning proprietary software, or arising from the use of non-standard hardware; provision of Identity Provider and Service Provider entities of various software versions to assist in testing and problem diagnosis; instances of open-ended consultation on a range of issues.
    3. EDINA provides, hosts and maintains the UK federation test Identity Provider and Service Provider entities.
    4. EDINA takes a pro-active support role in warning members of certificates due to expire.
    5. EDINA technical operations rely on the assistance of the Expert Group as necessary for the resolution of intractable problems.
  6. Documentation
    1. EDINA creates and maintains external documentation for members on the federation website, covering a wide range of issues including advice on enrolment, entity registration, frequently asked questions and common deployment problems.
    2. EDINA creates and maintains internal documentation on the federation website covering key operational support and federation maintenance procedures. This codifies best practice and helps ensure that common standards are applied.
  7. Federation Discovery Service (DS)
    1. EDINA created and maintains the federation DS (WAYF).
    2. EDINA supports deployment of the various current forms of the UK federation DS in parallel with new versions offering additional functionality.
  8. Federation website
    1. EDINA created the UK federation website and maintains tools for modifying its content and structure.
    2. EDINA hosts the federation website and produces the bulk of its content.
    3. EDINA makes additional changes to site content at the request of JANET(UK); JANET(UK) personnel also have credentials to make changes directly.
  9. Statistics
    1. EDINA generates and makes available statistics to JANET(UK) and key stakeholders to assist them in satisfying their reporting requirement.
  10. Security
    1. EDINA evaluates all security issues likely to affect UK federation Members and enacts appropriate remedial action following consultation with JANET(UK) and CSIRT.
  11. Development
    1. EDINA technical operations work with the Expert Group in the analysis of requirements, specification, and testing of developments for service. Deployment may follow after consultation with JANET(UK).
    2. Development plans for the federation proposed by the Expert Group are separately reported to JISC.

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