Sort Criteria in Search Request

Question from: Ian Ibbotson 8/25/01

Is it possible to include sort criteria within a Search Request, so that a result set may be created initially according to a desired order (rather than sorting after the fact)?

If protocol-version 3 as well as encapsulation have been negotiated, then a Sort APDU may be included within the otherInfo parameter of the Search APDU, as CHOICE externallyDefinedInfo, where the oid for the external is 1.2.840.10003.2.1 (the oid for Z39.50 PDUs).