Managing Interactions
An Interaction represents the exchange of information between organizational entities of the system.
*An interaction represents a contract established in a specific context between autonomous entities that are internal or external to an enterprise. These entities can be enterprise org-units, applications, activities or processes, as well as external org-units. The content of this contract is described by an exchange contract.
Content of an interaction is described by an exchange contract.
*An exchange contract is a model of a contract between organizational entities. This contract is described by exchanges between an initiator role and one or several contributor roles.
*For more details, see chapter “Describing Interactions", page 49.
In the context of complex infrastructures, interactions are physically supported by communication channels. See Communication channels.
Creating an Interaction
To create an interaction:
1. In the resource architecture diagram objects toolbar, click Interaction .
2. Draw a link between the two communication entities.
3. In the add interaction dialog box, specify the protocol you wish to use.
4. Click OK.
Connecting interaction points
The interaction point connects an interaction to one of the components in communication. It enables specification of:
the service point or query point that intervenes in the communication.
the role, consumer or supplier, played by the interaction point in the exchange protocol.
To connect the interaction point:
1. Right-click the interaction beside the communication entity and select Connect > Interaction Point.
A dialog box opens, presenting the list of service points and request points of the component in communication.
2. Select a service point or request point.
3. Click OK.
The graphic representation of the interaction point gives indications on nature and and consistency of information entered.
The interaction point is not defined
An interaction point has been defined, but no information has been indicated for the role played by the interaction point in the protocol
The interaction point, defined or not, plays the role of consumer in the protocol
The interaction point, defined or not, plays the role of supplier in the protocol
There is a modeling error: the two interaction points play the role of supplier in the protocol
There is a modeling error: the two interaction points play the role of supplier in the protocol
Modeling of interaction points is correct