OID

Object Identifier, a global hierarchical identifier used to name schemes and authorities.

Definition

An OID is a sequence of dot-separated integers forming a path through a worldwide registration tree: each node is delegated to an authority that may assign its own sub-nodes. OIDs unambiguously identify standards, algorithms, LDAP/X.509 attributes and identification schemes. Some ISO 6523 schemes are themselves registered under OIDs, and the ICD is the 1.3.x branch of the same registration framework.

Origin

Defined by ITU-T Recommendation X.660 and ISO/IEC 9834-1, which establish the registration framework for Object Identifiers and their root arc.

Example in context

2.16.840.1.113883 — HL7 root OID; 1.3.6.1.4.1 designates the "IANA private enterprise numbers" branch.

Related terms

• ICD — 4-digit code tied to the same ISO 6523 registration framework.