Open Archival Information System (OAIS)
The OAIS is a conceptual Reference Model for an archive, consisting of an organization of people and systems that has accepted the responsibility to preserve information and make it available for a Designated Community. Originally developed by the CCSDS, it was formally standardized as ISO 14721. The model provides a comprehensive framework for Digital Preservation and Digital Curation, ensuring that digital assets remain accessible and understandable over long periods.
Functional Entities
The OAIS identifies six core functional entities necessary for repository operation: Ingest, which handles the receipt of data; Archival-Storage, which manages long-term bitstream preservation; Data Management, which maintains descriptive Metadata; Administration, which governs the system; Preservation-Planning, which monitors technological change; and Access, which facilitates the retrieval of information by users.
Information Packages
Information within an OAIS is encapsulated into three distinct types of packages: the SIP (Submission Information Package) provided by the producer, the AIP (Archival Information Package) maintained within the archive, and the DIP (Dissemination Information Package) delivered to the consumer. These packages contain both Content Information and Preservation Description Information to ensure the data's integrity and context. For more detailed specifications, refer to the official CCSDS documentation and the ISO 14721:2012 standard.