Is data exchange with data spaces using other connector implementations possible?

[epanagou-ubitech]

The scenario we have in mind:

We have set up Data Space A using the EDC Connector and there is also an existing Data Space X using Connector implementation X with which we would like to make a data exchange.

For the data exchange we are thinking of following the steps below:

1. Join Data Space X and perform a contract agreement in order to be able to consume the asset we are interested in, e.g. Asset X.
2. We create an asset in Data Space A, Asset A using the associated transfer endpoint of Asset X as the Data Source endpoint.
3. We perform a contract agreement for Asset A and then perform a transfer to receive the asset data.

Our questions are:

• a) Would these steps be correct?
• b) Is there a simpler method of performing this data exchange?
• c) And slightly off-topic: Is there compatibility between connector implementations so that a data space may be formed using different connector implementations?

Thank you in advance!

[jimmarino]

I'm not sure I understand the question(s) being asked:

1. EDC will conform to the DSP specifications once the conformance test kit is completed and it passes the tests. There is no official timeframe for this.
2. EDC can only make a statement about conformance, not whether it is "compatible" with another connector implementation, as use cases and dataspace configuration may vary.
3. I don't understand points a-b. Please review the DSP specifications, particularly the Dataspace Model. Each EDC instance by design has exactly one identity. If a participant has a stable identity across dataspaces, a single instance may transact in those dataspaces. That is an unlikely scenario.

I don't understand what "data source endpoint" is, so it is difficult to comment further.

[epanagou-ubitech]

Thank you for getting back to us!

If we consider the following diagram of a data space in the current DSP documentation is there a requirement that the connector implementation used for the connector on the left and the connector on the right are the same? We assume that both implementations conform to the DSP.

• By "data source endpoint" we mean either a database and/or a REST endpoint that provides the data associated with an asset, as seen in the previous diagram.
• Essentially, our main question is, is there method for two separate dataspaces to exchange data?

[jimmarino]

OK, that is a high-level, non-normative document that is not part of the specification. The conceptual model is defined here:

https://github.com/International-Data-Spaces-Association/ids-specification/blob/7d468461d202698e2fac819b855b36f6ca90194e/model/model.md

There is no requirement at the specification level for two connectors to be the same implementation. However, in practice that may be the case if a dataspace makes use of proprietary features.

[epanagou-ubitech]

Thank you!