MIIS DeveloperVerse - Getting Started with XMA Development

DeveloperVerse is the cousin of the MIIS developer reference samples where you can find more MIIS code samples.

---

Getting Started with MIIS XMA Development

MIIS is a powerful synchronization system and platform for managing identity lifecycles. Without the proper preparation it can very difficult tool to master. Taking the time to learn the product will prevent you from receiving embarassing e-mails instructing you to RTFM. Below is a list of resources for learning MIIS and developing your own Extensible Management Agents.

1. Complete the Scenario Walkthroughs

Installing MIIS is easy. Understanding how data flows through the system takes time. Spend the time reading through the scenario walkthrough documents and learn following the lab instructions. Go through the scenarios in the following order:

1. Getting Started

This is a basic introduction to MIIS and has no requirements for other directory or connected data sources. This should be the first thing you do to get familiar with MIIS.

2. Classic Metadirectory

This is a slightly more complex identity integration scenario. It provides working illustration of synchronization rules. This is optional, but is worth at least a solid read-through.

3. Simple Account Provisioning

To get familiar with extensions, understand how provisioning rules and the synch engine work, you should develop and run the extensions in this document.

2. Study the MIIS Technical Reference

The technical reference documents go into great detail on MIIS internals.

1. MIIS Overview

This document provides an in-depth description of how the various pieces of MIIS fit together.

2. MIIS State-based Processing

This document described the internal structures used and evaluated by the MIIS state-based synchronization engine. Understanding this is important for understanding how data is processed by management agents.

3. Read the MIIS Manual (MMS.CHM)

Help topics on the configuration and use of MAs generally, and the extensible MA specifically (not available online, but these links open the chm file when used on a computer with MIIS installed in the default location)

1. Conceptual topic on connected data sources

This topic introduces how management agents work with connected data sources and provides context for when the extensible MA should be used. Location: mk:@MSITStore:C:\WINDOWS\help\mms.chm::/con_understanding_cd.htm

2. Using the extensible MA (conceptual topic)

This topic introduces the extensible MA and provides an overview of its use. Location: mk:@MSITStore:C:\WINDOWS\help\mms.chm::/con_using_ExtensibleMA.htm

3. Configuring management agents procedural help

This topic lists the topics for each procedure required to configure management agents Location: mk:@MSITStore:C:\WINDOWS\help\mms.chm::/ht_ma_CrEdTop.htm

4. Configuring the extensible MA connection properties

This topic provides UI assistance for configuring the extensible MA connection properties Location: mk:@MSITStore:C:\WINDOWS\help\mms.chm::/ht_ma_crEXTma_connect.htm

5. Configure additional parameters for extensible MA

This topic describes how to provide additional information and parameters to your extensible MA Location: mk:@MSITStore:C:\WINDOWS\help\mms.chm::/ht_ma_crEXTma_confParam.htm

4. Read the MIIS 2003 Developer Reference

Help topics on the development of extensible MAs specifically.

1. Creating management agents

This topic provides an overview of creating management agents and lays out the process you will follow.

2. Using connected data source extensions

This topic provides an overview of how connected data source extensions work

3. Interface reference for extensible MA import interface

This topic explains the extensible MA import interface. You should read the reference topic for each link in this topic.

4. Interface reference for extensible MA file export interface

This topic explains the extensible MA file export interface. You should read the reference topic for each link in this topic.

5. Interface reference for extensible MA call export interface

This topic explains the extensible MA call export interface. You should read the reference topic for each link in this topic.

6. Creating connected data source extensions

This topic introduces the steps required to create an MA.

7. Creating a Connected Data Source Extension in Visual Basic .NET

This topic provides step by step instructions for creating an MA using VB.NET.

8. Creating a Connected Data Source Extension in C#

This topic provides step by step instructions for creating an MA using C#.

9. Testing and debugging connected data source extensions

This topic links to the topic on strapping the debugger into your process and stepping through your extension code.

10. Best practices for connected data source extension export methods

This topic provide code samples for how to manage resources in your call-based export methods.

11. MA Packaging

This topic illustrates the process of packaging your MA.

12. How to package your MA

This reference topic explains the packaging options available for the MA Packager.

13. MA packager configuration file reference

This reference topic explains the options to specify in your MA Packager configuration file.

14. How to install your packaged MA

This topic describes how you should write your setup program to install your packaged MA.

5. Study Some Sample Connected Data Sources

For the reverse engineers out there, check out some sample XMA code:

1. Developer Reference example library

This topic includes code for sample call-based connected data source extensions. When the TOC is fixed, this will show file based, OLEDB, SharePoint User and SharePoint Group MA samples under it in the tree

2. SharePoint Users

This sample shows an MA for SharePoint users.

3. SharePoint Groups

This sample shows an MA for SharePoint groups.

4. The MIIS Experts DeveloperVerse

Home to more XMA samples.

6. Other MIIS Resources

Check out the Useful Sites section of MIIS Experts for more MIIS resources.