3.1.1.5 Object Identity

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Objects maintained by the NSPI server need to be identified in the NSPI Protocol. The NSPI Protocol makes use of three kinds of identifiers, differentiated primarily by their intended lifespan.

Permanent Identifier: A Permanent Identifier specifies a specific object across all NSPI sessions. The display type of the object is included in the Permanent Identifier.

Ephemeral Identifier: An Ephemeral Identifier specifies a specific object in a single NSPI session. The display type of the object is included in the Ephemeral Identifier. A server MUST NOT change an object's Ephemeral Identifier during the lifetime of an NSPI session. If a server uses the same NSPI session GUID (that is, the GUID returned by the server in the pServerGuid output parameter of the NspiBind method) for multiple NSPI sessions, the server MUST use the same Ephemeral Identifier for the same specific object in both sessions.

Minimal Identifier: A Minimal Identifier specifies a specific object in a single NSPI session. A server MUST NOT change an object's Minimal Entry ID (MId) during the lifetime of an NSPI session. If a server uses the same NSPI session GUID (that is, the GUID returned by the server in the in the pServerGuid output parameter of the NspiBind method) for multiple NSPI sessions, the server MUST use the same Minimal Identifier for the same specific object in all sessions.