def registerItem(self, itemName, description=None):
        """
        creates an entry for a given item. Once the entry is created, then
        the item can be uploaded by parts.  Once finished, a commit call is
        made to merge the parts together.
        Inputs:
         itemName - name of the item to upload
         description - optional description describing the file.
        Output:
         dictionary
        """
        url = self._url + "/register"
        params = {
            "f" : "json",
            "itemName" : itemName,
            "description" : ""
        }
        if description is not None:
            params['description'] = description
        return self._post(url=url,
                             param_dict=params,
                             proxy_url=self._proxy_url,
                             proxy_port=self._proxy_port,
                             securityHandler=self._securityHandler)
creates an entry for a given item. Once the entry is created, then
        the item can be uploaded by parts.  Once finished, a commit call is
        made to merge the parts together.
        Inputs:
         itemName - name of the item to upload
         description - optional description describing the file.
        Output:
         dictionary