WebSite Director (WSD) is designed to run on a web server. Direct user activity takes place through a web browser that is connected to WSD through the web server using the HTTP protocol. In some circumstances, there is a need to interface directly between WSD and another application. To support such an interface, WSD includes an external interface capability that allows all of the functionality of WSD, except content editing, to be controlled by an external application. Some examples of how the WSD external interface can be used are as follows:

• Updating directory information - Programs that add or update files in directories maintained by WSD can use the BUILDINDEX external command to have WSD rebuild the directory index for a specified directory.

• Third-party authentication systems - An external system, such as an LDAP directory, may control access to many applications through a centralized administration system. The WSD user administration API functions can be used to synchronize WSD with those external systems.

• Scheduled republishing - Documents can be republished at specified times using the MODIFY external command with the destination stage set to the Publishing stage.