Configuring Partner Link Types Using the WSDL View

A partner link type characterizes the conversational relationship between two services.

A partner link type can have one role or two roles.

• If a partner link type has one role, then the relationship involves a service that is willing to interact with any other service, without placing any requirements on the other service.

• If a partner link type has two roles, then the relationship involves two peer services.

A role describes the function that a partner has in the relationship. For example, in a procurement scenario, the partner link type could have two roles: Buyer and Seller.

A role must specify the port type that the service will use to receive messages.

To add a partner link type automatically

1. When you do either of the following tasks, a partner link type is automatically generated.

   • Create a WSDL file from scratch.

   • Create a port type.

2. (Optional) To add a second role, do the following:

   • Right-click the partner link type node and choose Add -> role.

   • If the Properties window is not visible, choose Window -> Properties.

   • Select the role.

   • (Optional) Change the default name.

   • Specify the port type.

To add a partner link type manually

1. In the WSDL view, right-click the Extensibility Elements node and choose Add -> PartnerLinkType.

   A partner link type node appears under the Extensibility Elements node. The partner link type has a default role.

2. (Optional) To add a second role, right-click the partner link type node and choose Add -> role.

3. If the Properties window is not visible, choose Window -> Properties.

4. For each role, do the following:

   • Change the default name\role.

   • Specify the port type.