A broker is a server that provides information about resources. The location broker enables clients to locate specific objects (for example, databases) or specific interfaces (for example, data retrieval interfaces). Location broker software includes the global location broker (GLB), the local location broker (LLB), a client agent through which programs use GLB and LLB services, and administrative tools.

The GLB stores in a database the locations of objects and interfaces throughout a network or internet; clients can use the GLB to access an object or interface without knowing its location beforehand. The LLB stores in a local database similar information about resources on the local host; it also implements a forwarding facility that provides access by means of a single address to all of the objects and interfaces at the host.