[ncc-services-wg] interfaces to ripe ncc services (was: Reverse DNS Restructuring Project)

In article <20031006121932.A4658 at iprg.nokia.com>,
David Kessens <david at iprg.nokia.com> wrote:
> [...]
> I think myself that using the database is probably the right way to do
> it but I am not really sure either. I do think that a bit more
> discussion on this list will help to determine that this is really the
> case.
> 
> Doing a reverse delegation is a relatively easy transaction and the
> proposal that is currently on the table adds a tremendous amount of
> extra complexity to the database and the request process. I am not
> convinced that there are no alternate ways to make the life of the users
> easier (that can or cannot include the database).
> 
> Doing the reverse delegation over a secure webinterface where one only
> has to choose for which allocation the reverse delegation has to be
> changed and entering a couple of servers comes to mind.
> 
> I am afraid, despite my fondness for the database, that it will only
> get into the way of people doing their job. I have seen too many
> companies deciding that they wanted to have a uniform way of dealing
> with their company systems and they end up with this beautiful all
> encompassing SAP (or whatever other vendors) system and people have to
> become an expert in the system before being able to do relatively easy
> transactions.
> [...]

I think David has a valid point here:  We should discuss the differnent 
possible interfaces to the RIPE NCC services.

IMHO we have to camps: 

   1) the webinterface folks 
   2) the mailinterface folks 

I think that RIPE NCC should support both camps.  

The occasional user of the services will certainly welcome a simple 
webinterface.  The LIR Portal (https://lirportal.ripe.net/) could be 
extended for this camp.  Reverse delegations are certainly an example 
of only occasionally needed services.

The regular user won't be happy with a webinterface, since automation 
isn't as easy as with the mailinterface.  An example for a regular task is 
the "Provider Aggregatable (PA) Assignment Request Form".  While the
LIR Portal already reflects the current ripe-283, I don't see a new 
autohm in ftp://ftp.ripe.net/ripe/tools/

Supporting two different interfaces to the same service doesn't come
for free, but I think it's worth the trouble (and money).


Regards,
Joerg