Reference: Protocol Specifications
Core Protocols
Dataspace Protocol (DSP)
The Dataspace Protocol specifies how participants discover data offerings, negotiate contracts, and coordinate data transfers.
| Current version | DSP 2025-1 |
| Specification | DSP 2025-1 (with errata) |
| Repository | eclipse-dataspace-protocol-base/DataspaceProtocol |
| Conformance testing | DSP TCK |
| Governance | Eclipse Dataspace Working Group |
Scope: Catalog discovery, contract negotiation (offer, request, agreement, termination), transfer process management (request, start, suspend, complete, terminate).
Transport: HTTPS with JSON-LD message bodies.
Decentralized Claims Protocol (DCP)
The Decentralized Claims Protocol specifies how participants exchange and verify identity material and verifiable credentials.
| Current version | DCP v1.0.1 |
| Specification | DCP v1.0.1 |
| Repository | eclipse-dataspace-dcp/decentralized-claims-protocol |
| Conformance testing | DCP TCK |
| Governance | Eclipse Dataspace Working Group |
Scope: Credential presentation requests and responses, verifiable presentation exchange, self-issued token handling, credential resolution.
Foundation: Built on W3C DID Core and W3C Verifiable Credentials Data Model.
Data Plane Signaling (DPS)
Data Plane Signaling defines the interface between the Control Plane and Data Plane for managing data transfer lifecycle.
| Documentation | DPS interface |
| Project | Eclipse Data Plane Signaling |
Scope: Transfer lifecycle signals (START, SUSPEND, TERMINATE), data plane registration, capability-based selection, Endpoint Data Reference (EDR) generation.
Technology Compatibility Kits (TCKs)
TCKs provide automated conformance testing to verify protocol compliance:
| TCK | Tests | Repository |
|---|---|---|
| DSP TCK | Control Plane DSP conformance | eclipse-dataspacetck/dsp-tck |
| DCP TCK | Credential Service DCP conformance | eclipse-dataspacetck/dcp-tck |
Run the TCK against your implementation to obtain objective evidence of protocol compliance. Passing results are published openly.
Foundational Standards
| Standard | Scope | Link |
|---|---|---|
| ISO/IEC 20151 | Dataspace concepts and characteristics | ISO catalog |
| W3C DID Core | Decentralized Identifier specification | W3C DID Core |
| did:web | DID method using web infrastructure | did:web method |
| W3C VC Data Model | Verifiable Credentials data model | W3C VC |
Standardization Bodies
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Eclipse Foundation | Hosts DSP, DCP specifications and EDC implementation |
| ISO/IEC JTC 1/SC 38 | International standardization of dataspace concepts |
| CEN-CENELEC JTC 25 | European standardization for trusted data transactions |
| W3C | Web standards for decentralized identity and verifiable credentials |
| IDSA | Requirements aggregation and community governance for dataspaces |