4.4.1 Specifications for how the AIPs are stored down to the bit level

Requirement Text

The repository shall have specifications for how the AIPs are stored.

Supporting Text

This is necessary in order to ensure that the information can be extracted from the AIP.

Examples for Meeting the Requirement

Documentation of the format of AIPs; adequate Representation Information for descriptions of the information components and packaging.

Discussion

The repository should specify the Representation information, ideally down to the bit level, of each AIP component and must specify how the separate components are packaged together. The Representation Information must be available for each AIP and must be appropriately linked to the AIP. Often, repositories are tempted to describe AIP content only down to a level where a program will then be used to convert the information to a form understandable to their Designated Communities. However, if those programs ever fail to operate, then the information would be lost in all the AIPs that relied on that program. Therefore the AIPs may need to be subject to a Transformation from time to time in response to changes detected by monitoring (as described in section 5).

Evidence Provided

The Definition of AIP page addresses AIP specifications and storage.

The Preservation and Storage page goes into further detail.