RFC Abstracts

RFC0982 - Guidelines for the specification of the structure of the Domain Specific Part (DSP) of the ISO standard NSAP address
This RFC is a draft working document of the ANSI "Guidelines for the Specification of the Structure of the Domain Specific Part (DSP) of the ISO Standard NSAP Address". It provides guidance to private address administration authorities on preferred formats and semantics for the Domain Specific Part (DSP) of an NSAP address. This RFC specifies the way in which the DSP may be constructed so as to facilitate efficient address assignment. This RFC is for informational purposes only and its distribution is unlimited and does not specify a standard of the ARPA-Internet.
RFC0981 - Experimental multiple-path routing algorithm
This document introduces wiretap algorithms, a class of experimental, multiple routing algorithms that compute quasi-optimum routes for stations sharing a packet-radio broadcast channel. The primary route (a minimum-distance path), and additional paths ordered by distance, which serve as alternate routes should the primary route fail, are computed. This prototype is presented as an example of a class of routing algorithms and data-base management techniques that may find wider application in the Internet community. Discussions and suggestions for improvements are welcomed.
RFC0980 - Protocol document order information
This RFC indicates how to obtain various protocol documents used in the DARPA research community. Included is an overview of the new 1985 DDN Protocol Handbook and available sources for obtaining related documents (such as DOD, ISO, and CCITT).
RFC0979 - PSN End-to-End functional specification
This memo is an updated version of BBN Report 5775, "End-to-End Functional Specification and describes important changes to the functionality of the interface between a Host and the PSN, and should be carefully reviewed by anyone involved in supporting a host on either the ARPANET or MILNET". The new End-to-End protocol (EE) is being developed in order to correct a number of deficiencies in the old EE, to improve its performance and overall throughput, and to better equip the Packet Switch Node (PSN, also known as the IMP) to support its current and anticipated host population.
RFC0978 - Voice File Interchange Protocol (VFIP)
The purpose of the Voice File Interchange Protocol (VFIP) is to permit the interchange of various types of speech files between different systems in the ARPA-Internet community. Suggestions for improvement are encouraged.
RFC0977 - Network News Transfer Protocol
NNTP specifies a protocol for the distribution, inquiry, retrieval, and posting of news articles using a reliable stream-based transmission of news among the ARPA-Internet community. NNTP is designed so that news articles are stored in a central database allowing a subscriber to select only those items he wishes to read. Indexing, cross-referencing, and expiration of aged messages are also provided. This RFC suggests a proposed protocol for the ARPA-Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements.
RFC0976 - UUCP mail interchange format standard
This document defines the standard format for the transmission of mail messages between computers in the UUCP Project. It does not however, address the format for storage of messages on one machine, nor the lower level transport mechanisms used to get the date from one machine to the next. It represents a standard for conformance by hosts in the UUCP zone.
RFC0975 - Autonomous confederations
This RFC proposes enhancements to the Exterior Gateway Protocol (EGP) to support a simple, multiple-level routing capability while preserving the robustness features of the current EGP model. The enhancements generalize the concept of core system to include multiple communities of autonomous systems, called autonomous confederations. Discussion and suggestions for improvement are requested.
RFC0974 - Mail routing and the domain system
This RFC presents a description of how mail systems on the Internet are expected to route messages based on information from the domain system. This involves a discussion of how mailers interpret MX RRs, which are used for message routing.
RFC0973 - Domain system changes and observations
This RFC documents updates to Domain Name System specifications RFC-882 and RFC-883, suggests some operational guidelines, and discusses some experiences and problem areas in the present system.
RFC0972 - Password Generator Protocol
This RFC specifies a standard for the ARPA Internet community. The Password Generator Service (PWDGEN) provides a set of six randomly generated eight-character "words" with a reasonable level of pronounceability, using a multi-level algorithm. Hosts on the ARPA Internet that choose to implement a password generator service are expected to adopt and implement this standard.
RFC0971 - Survey of data representation standards
This RFC is a comparison of several data representation standards that are currently in use. The standards discussed are the CCITT X.409 recommendation, the NBS Computer Based Message System (CBMS) standard, DARPA Multimedia Mail system, the Courier remote procedure call protocol, and the SUN Remote Procedure Call package. No proposals in this document are intended as standards for the ARPA-Internet at this time. Rather, it is hoped that a general consensus will emerge as to the appropriate approach to a data representation standard, leading eventually to the adoption of an ARPA-Internet standard.
RFC0970 - On Packet Switches With Infinite Storage
The purpose of this RFC is to focus discussion on a particular problem in the ARPA-Internet and possible methods of solution. Most prior work on congestion in datagram systems focuses on buffer management. In this memo the case of a packet switch with infinite storage is considered. Such a packet switch can never run out of buffers. It can, however, still become congested. The meaning of congestion in an infinite-storage system is explored. An unexpected result is found that shows a datagram network with infinite storage, first-in-first-out queuing, at least two packet switches, and a finite packet lifetime will, under overload, drop all packets. By attacking the problem of congestion for the infinite-storage case, new solutions applicable to switches with finite storage may be found. No proposed solutions this document are intended as standards for the ARPA-Internet at this time.
RFC0969 - NETBLT: A bulk data transfer protocol
This RFC suggests a proposed protocol for the ARPA-Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements. This is a preliminary discussion of the Network Block Transfer (NETBLT) protocol. NETBLT is intended for the rapid transfer of a large quantity of data between computers. It provides a transfer that is reliable and flow controlled, and is structured to provide maximum throughput over a wide variety of networks. This description is published for discussion and comment, and does not constitute a standard. As the proposal may change, implementation of this document is not advised. See RFC-998.
RFC0968 - Twas the night before start-up
This memo discusses problems that arise and debugging techniques used in bringing a new network into operation.
RFC0967 - All victims together
This RFC proposes a new set of RFCs on how the networking code is integrated with various operating systems. It appears that this topic has not received enough exposure in the literature. Comments and suggestions are encouraged.
RFC0966 - Host groups: A multicast extension to the Internet Protocol
This RFC defines a model of service for Internet multicasting and proposes an extension to the Internet Protocol (IP) to support such a multicast service. Discussion and suggestions for improvements are requested. See RFC-988.
RFC0965 - Format for a graphical communication protocol
This RFC describes the requirements for a graphical format on which to base a graphical on-line communication protocol, and proposes an Interactive Graphical Communication Format using the GKSM session metafile. We hope this contribution will encourage the discussion of multimedia data exchange and the proposal of solutions.
RFC0964 - Some problems with the specification of the Military Standard Transmission Control Protocol
The purpose of this RFC is to provide helpful information on the Military Standard Transmission Control Protocol (MIL-STD-1778) so that one can obtain a reliable implementation of this protocol standard. This note points out three errors with this specification. This note also proposes solutions to these problems.
RFC0963 - Some problems with the specification of the Military Standard Internet Protocol
The purpose of this RFC is to provide helpful information on the Military Standard Internet Protocol (MIL-STD-1777) so that one can obtain a reliable implementation of this protocol. This paper points out several problems in this specification. This note also proposes solutions to these problems.
RFC0962 - TCP-4 prime
This memo is in response to Bob Braden's call for a transaction oriented protocol (RFC-955), and continues the discussion of a possible transaction oriented transport protocol. This memo does not propose a standard.
RFC0961 - Official ARPA-Internet protocols
This memo identifies the documents specifying the official protocols used in the Internet, and comments on any revisions or changes planned. This edition of the Official Protocols updates and obsoletes RFC-944. This memo is an official status report on the protocols used in the ARPA-Internet community. See RFC-991.
RFC0960 - Assigned numbers
This memo documents the currently assigned values from several series of numbers used in network protocol implementations. This edition of Assigned Numbers updates and obsoletes RFC-943. This memo is an official status report on the numbers used in protocols in the ARPA-Internet community. See RFC-990 and 997.
RFC0959 - File Transfer Protocol
This memo is the official specification of the File Transfer Protocol (FTP) for the DARPA Internet community. The primary intent is to clarify and correct the documentation of the FTP specification, not to change the protocol. The following new optional commands are included in this edition of the specification: Change to Parent Directory (CDUP), Structure Mount (SMNT), Store Unique (STOU), Remove Directory (RMD), Make Directory (MKD), Print Directory (PWD), and System (SYST). Note that this specification is compatible with the previous edition.
RFC0958 - Network Time Protocol (NTP)
This document describes the Network Time Protocol (NTP), a protocol for synchronizing a set of network clocks using a set of distributed clients and servers. NTP is built on the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), which provides a connectionless transport mechanism. It is evolved from the Time Protocol and the ICMP Timestamp message and is a suitable replacement for both. This RFC suggests a proposed protocol for the ARPA-Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements.
RFC0957 - Experiments in network clock synchronization
This RFC discusses some experiments in clock synchronization in the ARPA-Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements. One of the services frequently neglected in computer network design is a high-quality, time-of-day clock capable of generating accurate timestamps with small errors compared to one-way network delays. Such a service would be useful for tracing the progress of complex transactions, synchronizing cached data bases, monitoring network performance and isolating problems. In this memo one such clock service design will be described and its performance assessed. This design has been incorporated as an integral part of the network routing and control protocols of the Distributed Computer Network (DCnet) architecture.
RFC0956 - Algorithms for synchronizing network clocks
This RFC discussed clock synchronization algorithms for the ARPA-Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements. The recent interest within the Internet community in determining accurate time from a set of mutually suspicious network clocks has been prompted by several occasions in which errors were found in usually reliable, accurate clock servers after thunderstorms which disrupted their power supply. To these sources of error should be added those due to malfunctioning hardware, defective software and operator mistakes, as well as random errors in the mechanism used to set and synchronize clocks. This report suggests a stochastic model and algorithms for computing a good estimator from time-offset samples measured between clocks connected via network links. Included in this report are descriptions of certain experiments which give an indication of the effectiveness of the algorithms.
RFC0955 - Towards a transport service for transaction processing applications
The DoD Internet protocol suite includes two alternative transport service protocols, TCP and UDP, which provide virtual circuit and datagram service, respectively. These two protocols represent points in the space of possible transport service attributes which are quite "far apart". We want to examine an important class of applications, those which perform what is often called "transaction processing". We will see that the communication needs for these applications fall into the gap "between" TCP and UDP -- neither protocol is very appropriate. This RFC is concerned with the possible design of one or more new protocols for the ARPA-Internet, to support kinds of applications which are not well supported at present. The RFC is intended to spur discussion in the Internet research community towards the development of new protocols and/or concepts, in order to meet these unmet application requirements. It does not represent a standard, nor even a concrete protocol proposal.
RFC0954 - NICNAME/WHOIS
This RFC is the official specification of the NICNAME/WHOIS protocol. This memo describes the protocol and the service. This is an update of RFC-812.
RFC0953 - Hostname Server
This RFC is the official specification of the Hostname Server Protocol. This edition of the specification includes minor revisions to RFC-811 which brings it up to date.
RFC0952 - DoD Internet host table specification
This RFC is the official specification of the format of the Internet Host Table. This edition of the specification includes minor revisions to RFC-810 which brings it up to date.
RFC0951 - Bootstrap Protocol
This RFC describes an IP/UDP bootstrap protocol (BOOTP) which allows a diskless client machine to discover its own IP address, the address of a server host, and the name of a file to be loaded into memory and executed. The bootstrap operation can be thought of as consisting of TWO PHASES. This RFC describes the first phase, which could be labeled `address determination and bootfile selection'. After this address and filename information is obtained, control passes to the second phase of the bootstrap where a file transfer occurs. The file transfer will typically use the TFTP protocol, since it is intended that both phases reside in PROM on the client. However BOOTP could also work with other protocols such as SFTP or FTP. This RFC suggests a proposed protocol for the ARPA-Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements.
RFC0950 - Internet Standard Subnetting Procedure
This memo discusses the utility of "subnets" of Internet networks, which are logically visible sub-sections of a single Internet network. For administrative or technical reasons, many organizations have chosen to divide one Internet network into several subnets, instead of acquiring a set of Internet network numbers. This memo specifies procedures for the use of subnets. These procedures are for hosts (e.g., workstations). The procedures used in and between subnet gateways are not fully described. Important motivation and background information for a subnetting standard is provided in RFC-940. This RFC specifies a protocol for the ARPA-Internet community. If subnetting is implemented it is strongly recommended that these procedures be followed.
RFC0949 - FTP unique-named store command
There are various contexts in which it would be desirable to have an FTP command that had the effect of the present STOR but rather than requiring the sender to specify a file name istead caused the resultant file to have a unique name relative to the current directory. This RFC proposes an extension to the File Transfer Protocol for the ARPA-Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements. See RFC-959.
RFC0948 - Two methods for the transmission of IP datagrams over IEEE 802.3 networks
This RFC describes two methods of encapsulating Internet Protocol (IP) datagrams on an IEEE 802.3 network. This RFC suggests a proposed protocol for the ARPA-Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements.
RFC0947 - Multi-network broadcasting within the Internet
This RFC describes the extension of a network's broadcast domain to include more than one physical network through the use of a broadcast packet repeater.
RFC0946 - Telnet terminal location number option
Many systems provide a mechanism for finding out where a user is logged in from usually including information about telephone extension and office occupants names. The information is useful for physically locating people and/or calling them on the phone. In 1982 CMU designed and implemented a terminal location database and modified existing network software to handle a 64-bit number called the Terminal Location Number (or TTYLOC). It now seems appropriate to incorporate this mechanism into the TCP-based network protocol family. The mechanism is not viewed as a replacement for the Terminal Location Telnet Option (SEND-LOCATION) but as a shorthand mechansim for communicating terminal location information between hosts in a localized community. This RFC proposes a new option for Telnet for the ARPA-Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements.
RFC0945 - DoD statement on the NRC report
In May 1983 the National Research Council (NRC) was asked jointly by DoD and NBS to study the issues and recommend a course of action. The final report of the NRC committee was published in February 1985 (see RFC-942). The enclosed letter is from Donald C. Latham (ASDC3I) to DCA transmitting the NRC report and requesting specific actions relative to the recommendations of the report. This RFC reproduces a letter from the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Command, Control, Communications, and Intelligence (ASDC3I) to the Director of the Defense Communications Agency (DCA). This letter is distributed for information only.
RFC0944 - Official ARPA-Internet protocols
This RFC identifies the documents specifying the official protocols used in the Internet. This edition of Official ARPA-Internet Protocols obsoletes RFC-924 and earlier editions. This RFC will be updated periodically, and current information can be obtained from Joyce Reynolds. This memo is an official status report on the protocols used in the ARPA-Internet community. See RFC-991.
RFC0943 - Assigned numbers
This Network Working Group Request for Comments documents the currently assigned values from several series of numbers used in network protocol implementations. This RFC will be updated periodically, and in any case current information can be obtained from Joyce Reynolds. The assignment of numbers is also handled by Joyce. If you are developing a protocol or application that will require the use of a link, socket, port, protocol, network number, etc., please contact Joyce to receive a number assignment. This memo is an official status report on the numbers used in protocols in the ARPA-Internet community. See RFC-990 and 997.
RFC0942 - Transport protocols for Department of Defense data networks
This RFC reproduces the National Research Council report resulting from a study of the DoD Internet Protocol (IP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) in comparison with the ISO Internet Protocol (ISO-IP) and Transport Protocol level 4 (TP-4).
RFC0941 - Addendum to the network service definition covering network layer addressing
This Addendum to the Network Service Definition Standard, ISO 8348, defines the abstract syntax and semantics of the Network Address (Network Service Access Point Address). The Network Address defined in this Addendum is the address that appears in the primitives of the connection-mode Network Service as the calling address, called address, and responding address parameters, and in the primitives of the connectionless-mode Network Service as the source address and destination address parameters. This document is distributed as an RFC for information only. It does not specify a standard for the ARPA-Internet.
RFC0940 - Toward an Internet standard scheme for subnetting
Several sites now contain a complex of local links connected to the Internet via a gateway. The details of the internal connectivity are of little interest to the rest of the Internet. One way of organizing these local complexes of links is to use the same strategy as the Internet uses to organize networks, that is, to declare each link to be an entity (like a network) and to interconnect the links with devices that perform routing functions (like gateways). This general scheme is called subnetting, the individual links are called subnets, and the connecting devices are called subgateways (or bridges, or gateways). This RFC discusses standardizing the protocol used in subnetted environments in the ARPA-Internet.
RFC0939 - Executive summary of the NRC report on transport protocols for Department of Defense data networks
This RFC reproduces the material from the "front pages" of the National Research Council report resulting from a study of the DOD Internet Protocol (IP) and Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) in comparison with the ISO Internet Protocol (ISO-IP) and Transport Protocol level 4 (TP-4). The point of this RFC is to make the text of the Executive Summary widely available in a timely way. The order of presentation has been altered, and the pagination changed. This RFC is distributed for information only. This RFC does not establish any policy for the DARPA research community or the DDN operational community.
RFC0938 - Internet Reliable Transaction Protocol functional and interface specification
This RFC is being distributed to members of the DARPA research community in order to solicit their reactions to the proposals contained in it. While the issues discussed may not be directly relevant to the research problems of the DARPA community, they may be interesting to a number of researchers and implementors. This RFC suggests a proposed protocol for the ARPA-Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements.
RFC0937 - Post Office Protocol: Version 2
This RFC suggests a simple method for workstations to dynamically access mail from a mailbox server. This RFC specifies a proposed protocol for the ARPA-Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvement. This memo is a revision of RFC-918.
RFC0936 - Another Internet subnet addressing scheme
There have been several proposals for schemes to allow the use of a single Internet network number to refer to a collection of physical networks under common administration which are reachable from the rest of the Internet by a common route. Such schemes allow a simplified view of an otherwise complicated topology from hosts and gateways outside of this collection. They allow the complexity of the number and type of these networks, and routing to them, to be localized. Additions and changes in configuration thus cause no detectable change, and no interruption of service, due to slow propagation of routing and other information outside of the local environment. These schemes also simplify the administration of the network, as changes do not require allocation of new network numbers for each new cable installed. This proposal discusses an alternative scheme, one that has been in use at the University of California, Berkeley since April 1984. This RFC suggests a proposed protocol for the ARPA-Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements.
RFC0935 - Reliable link layer protocols
This RFC discusses protocols proposed recently in RFCs 914 and 916, and suggests a proposed protocol that could meet the same needs addressed in those memos. The stated need is reliable communication between two programs over a full-duplex, point-to-point communication link, and in particular the RFCs address the need for such communication over an asynchronous link at relatively low speeds. The suggested protocol uses the methods of existing national and international data link layer standards. This RFC suggests a proposed protocol for the ARPA-Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements.
RFC0934 - Proposed standard for message encapsulation
This memo concerns itself with message forwarding. Forwarding can be thought of as encapsulating one or more messages inside another. Although this is useful for transfer of past correspondence to new recipients, without a decapsulation process (which this memo terms "bursting"), the forwarded messages are of little use to the recipients because they can not be distributed, forwarded, replied-to, or otherwise processed as separate individual messages. In order to burst a message it is necessary to know how the component messages were encapsulated in the draft. At present there is no unambiguous standard for interest group digests. This RFC proposes a proposed protocol for the ARPA-Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements.
RFC0933 - Output marking Telnet option
This proposed option would allow a Server-Telnet to send a banner to a User-Telnet so that this banner would be displayed on the workstation screen independently of the application software running in the Server-Telnet.