Unlike the SCIM 1.1 servlet extension, the SCIM 2.0 system is configured through the Administrative Console or with the dsconfig command-line tool. The SCIM 2.0 system consists of the following components:
  • SCIM resource types
  • SCIM schemas
    • SCIM attributes
    • SCIM sub-attributes
  • SCIM attribute mappings (mapping resource types only)
  • Correlated LDAP Data Views

A SCIM resource type defines a class of resources, such as users or devices. Every SCIM resource type features at least one SCIM schema, which defines the attributes that are available to each resource. If enabled for use, a SCIM resource type must also have a designated LDAP structural objectclass as well as an associated base DN.

The two types of SCIM resource types, mapping and passthrough, differ based on the definitions of the SCIM schema the resource types use.
  • An LDAP mapping SCIM resource type requires an explicitly defined SCIM schema with explicitly defined mappings of SCIM attributes to LDAP attributes. Use a mapping SCIM resource type to exercise detailed control over the SCIM schema and its attributes and mappings.
  • An LDAP passthrough SCIM resource type, by contrast, does not use an explicitly defined SCIM schema. Instead, an implicit schema is generated dynamically, based on the underlying LDAP schema. Use a passthrough SCIM resource type when you need to get started quickly.

A SCIM schema defines a collection of SCIM attributes, grouped under an identifier called a schema URN. Each SCIM resource type possesses a single core schema and can feature schema extensions, which act as secondary attribute groupings that the schema URN namespaces. SCIM Schemas are defined independently of SCIM resource types, and multiple SCIM resource types can use a single SCIM schema as a core schema or schema extension.

A SCIM attribute defines an attribute that is available under a SCIM schema. The configuration for a SCIM attribute defines its data type, regardless of whether it is required, single-valued, or multi-valued. When a SCIM attribute consists of SCIM sub-attributes, it is defined as a complex attribute.

A SCIM attribute mapping defines the manner in which a SCIM resource type maps the attributes in its SCIM schemas to native LDAP attributes of the PingDirectoryProxy Server.

A Correlated LDAP Data View allows a single SCIM resource that consists of attributes that are retrieved from multiple LDAP entries (see Correlated LDAP data views).