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Use

The getInitialNodes() method of a connector is generally used by the navigation service to collect the top-level navigation nodes. However, you can also build external connectors to supply nodes in the middle of the navigation hierarchy.

For example, you may want to use a Web content management system to build content that resides outside the portal. You can then build an external connector that creates navigation nodes for this content. Finally, you can create a hierarchy of roles, worksets and folders in the portal, and add the navigation nodes for the external content in the middle of the role hierarchy.

Except for a few minor changes, an external connector works like a regular connector. It implements getInitialNodes() , which supplies a set of navigation nodes. The connector is not aware where the navigation service is adding the nodes, whether at the top of the navigation hierarchy or in the middle.

An external connector must handle several additional parameters sent in the environment. The parameters are related to adding nodes in the middle of the hierarchy.

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