The IFR is an interface repository built on the Mnesia application. Orber uses the IFR for some type-checking when coding/decoding IIOP. The IFR is capable of storing all interfaces and declarations of OMG IDL.
The interface repository is mainly used for dynamical interfaces, and as none are currently supported this function is only really used for retrieving information about interfaces.
Functions relating to the manipulation of the IFR including, initialization of the IFR, as well as, locating, creating and destroying initial references are detailed further in the Manual Pages.