Definition

A set of attributes describing the content of each type of SIP.

Source: Producer-Archive Interface Specification (PAIS) - A Tutorial. Report Concerning Space Data System Standards, CCSDS 651.2-G-1. Green Book. Issue 1. Washington, D.C.: CCSDS, September 2016. [Equivalent to ISO 20104:2015]

Introduction

PAIS identifies two constraints on SIPs that must be defined within each Producer-Archive Project:

The authorized content of each SIP (i.e., the SIP Content Type)
The order in which SIPs have to be delivered by the Producer to the Archive

SIP Content Type identifies the Transfer Object Types that may be found within that type of SIP. PAIS 4.2.2.2 establishes the attributes of a SIP Content Type:

SIP Content Type ID - unique within a Producer-Archive Project
Authorized Descriptor - a list of the Transfer Object Type Descriptor Identifiers that a transferred SIP of the type ‘SIP Content Type ID’, may or may not contain.
- Transfer Object Type Descriptor ID
- Occurrence
  - Minimal occurrence
  - Maximal occurrence

SIP Content Types

The Dalhousie Libraries prefers to establish Producer-Archive Projects that allow for three broad types of SIP:

Network transfer (CAN-NSHD/SIPCT-001)
Physical material (CAN-NSHD/SIPCT-002)
Accession (CAN-NSHD/SIPCT-003)

Each type of SIP can include one or more Transfer Object Types.

CAN-NSDH/SIPCT-001: Network transfer

SIP includes electronic records transferred to the University Libraries' Archival Storage environment using the Libraries' File Transfer Service. The Network transfer SIP Content Type can include several different types of transfer objects, but the most common Network transfer SIP includes one zipped Bag.

The Office of Primary Responsibility (OPR) or external donor typically use the Libraries' File Transfer Tool to package approved digital file formats and associated metadata into zipped Bags. The OPR or external donor then uploads the zipped Bag to the Libraries' Archival Storage environment using the Libraries' File Transfer Service.

Authorized Transfer Object Type Descriptors

List of Transfer Object Type Descriptor Identifiers that CAN-NSHD/SIPCT-001 may or may not contain:

Transfer Object Type Descriptor Identifier	Description	Minimal Occurrence	Maximal Occurrence
	Digital object

CAN-NSDH/SIPCT-001: Physical material

SIP includes physical records transferred to the University Archives. The Physical material SIP Content Type can include several different types of transfer objects, but the most common Physical material SIP includes one or more boxes of textual records.

The OPR or external donor typically packages the physical records into boxes and prepares a file inventory. Boxes may include digital storage devices or other physical data objects that require special attention during archival appraisal and accessioning.

Authorized Transfer Object Type Descriptors

List of Transfer Object Type Descriptor Identifiers that CAN-NSHD/SIPCT-002 may or may not contain:

Transfer Object Type Descriptor Identifier	Description	Minimal Occurrence	Maximal Occurrence

CAN-NSDH/SIPCT-003: Accession

SIP includes a single accession that could include physical material, network transfers, or both. The Accession SIP Content Type can include several different types of transfer objects, but the most common Accession SIP includes one or more boxes of textual records.

The Accession SIP Content Type is not used for University Records transferred in accordance with retention and disposition rules. The external donor typically packages the physical records into boxes and prepares a file inventory. Boxes may include digital storage devices or other physical data objects that require special attention during accessioning and archival appraisal.

The Accession SIP Content Type implies a 1:1 relationship between the SIP and the accession record. It is typically used in Producer-Archive Projects where each SIP includes material that has already been selected after an archival appraisal.