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IDS Reference Architecture Model (IDS-RAM) 2026-3
This is the first full release of the new IDS-RAM, following the 2026-1 and 2026-2 release candidates. It turns the data space concepts of the IDSA Rulebook and ISO/IEC 20151-1 into technical guidance.
New: Architectural principles
A new chapter describes the architectural capabilities a data space needs and how to realize them with the Dataspace Protocol (DSP), the Decentralized Claims Protocol (DCP) and Data Plane Signaling. Dedicated pages cover:
- Credentials and claims
- Cataloging
- Contract negotiation
- Data transfer, including control plane, data plane and policy enforcement
- Observability
- A mapping of each IDS-RAM capability to the relevant technical specifications
New: Architectural patterns
- Data Space Governance Authority (DSGA): central, federated and decentral options for realizing the DSGA and the trade-offs of each
- Catalogs: central, federated and decentral discovery, including push and pull collection of metadata, reachability and authorization
New: Focus paper on value-adding services in decentralized data spaces
The paper shows how services such as matchmaking and billing can support discovery, coordination and economic processes without introducing central platform components. The services operate under the rules of the DSGA and the accepted Dataspace Trust Frameworks.
What's Changed
In release candidates 2026-1 and 2026-2:
- 1 add boilerplate files by @ssteinbuss in #2
- Update issue templates by @JessicaRombs in #17
- Initial Structure for RAM5 by @ssteinbuss in #18
- 20 adding the perspectives to the ram 5 structure by @ssteinbuss in #25
- Update CONTRIBUTING.md by @JessicaRombs in #24
- Update README with how to contribute, add outline the document structure and timeline #29 by @ilkchulani in #48
- Create style guide by @JessicaRombs in #47
- Update Appendix by @ssteinbuss in #50
- Create GitBook files by @ssteinbuss in #51
- Update README.md for meetings by @ilkchulani in #64
- Adding a general template for files by @JessicaRombs in #65
- Spelling mistake by @SebastianOpriel in #69
- Update SUMMARY.md by @ilkchulani in #71
- 42 structure of ram 5 regarding data space governance by @ilkchulani in #72
- Adding data sovereignty continuum by @ssteinbuss in #28
- More updates for Preparation for first edition of RAM 5 on GitBook #70 by @ilkchulani in #73
- feat: add GitHub action for labeling issues and PR as stale by @mspiekermann in #79
- docs: add new introduction text by @mspiekermann in #84
- chores: rm old structure and legacy text before MVD by @mspiekermann in #86
- docs: add initial structure by @mspiekermann in #87
- docs: add initial context information of documents by @mspiekermann in #91
- Restructure RAM repository by @ssteinbuss in #98
- 99 editorial updates for new knowledgebase release by @ilkchulani in #101
- Update stale.yml by @ssteinbuss in #105
- Update README.md for broken kb link by @ilkchulani in #103
- Update FocusPapers with Paper on Data Spaces and AI by @ssteinbuss in #109
In Release 2026-3:
- Adding Value-Adding_Services_in_Decentralized_Dataspaces by @ssteinbuss in #96
- Update the DSGA architecture pattern by @petkivim in #106
- Update the Catalogs architecture pattern by @petkivim in #107
- First draft for the architectural principles page by @ilkchulani in #110
- Adding quality checks by @ssteinbuss in #115
- 112 create 2026 3 release by @ssteinbuss in #113
Full Changelog: https://github.com/International-Data-Spaces-Association/IDS-RAM/commits/2026-3
