The easiest way to assign a persistent identifier (PID) is to request it at DRS batch deposit. A PID is required for objects that will be delivered out of the DRS (for example, image files delivered to users of the VIA union catalog). A PID is optional for objects intended for storage only (for example, archival versions of objects).
To request a PID at batch deposit, the collection curator must select the appropriate authority path and resource name format and pass this information to the project's deposit agent. The agent will add URN requests to the batch transaction file that accompanies deposited objects.
Below is a fragment from a DRS batch transaction file that contains a request to create a PID using the urnMask element {n}:
<transaction>
<owner>HUL.Test</owner>
<add>
<urnMap>
<file>xml2.jp2</file>
<urnmask>urn-3:HUL.Test:{n}</urnmask>
</urnMap>
</add>
</transaction>
Consult the DRS Load Manual for more information about the batch deposit process.