RFC 1126 (rfc1126) – Page 1 of 25

Goals and functional requirements for inter-autonomous system routing

Alternative Format: Original Text Document

Network Working Group                                          M. Little
Request for Comments:  1126                                         SAIC
                                                            October 1989


                 Goals and Functional Requirements for
                    Inter-Autonomous System Routing

Status of this Memo

   This document describes the functional requirements for a routing
   protocol to be used between autonomous systems.  This document is
   intended as a necessary precursor to the design of a new inter-
   autonomous system routing protocol and specifies requirements for the
   Internet applicable for use with the current DoD IP, the ISO IP, and
   future Internet Protocols.  It is intended that these requirements
   will form the basis for the future development of a new inter-
   autonomous systems routing architecture and protocol.  This document
   is being circulated to the IETF and Internet community for comment.
   Comments should be sent to: "".  This memo
   does not specify a standard.  Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

1.  Introduction

   The development of an inter-autonomous systems routing protocol
   proceeds from those goals and functions seen as both desirable and
   obtainable for the Internet environment.  This document describes
   these goals and functional requirements.  The goals and functional
   requirements addressed by this document are intended to provide a
   context within which an inter-autonomous system routing architecture
   can be developed which will meet both current and future Internet
   routing needs.  The goals presented indicate properties and general
   capabilities desired of the Internet routing environment and what the
   inter-autonomous system routing architecture is to accomplish as a
   whole.

   The goals are followed by functional requirements, which address
   either detailed objectives or specific functionality to be achieved
   by the architecture and resulting protocol(s).  These functional
   requirements are enumerated for clarity and grouped so as to map
   directly to areas of architectural consideration.  This is followed
   by a listing and description of general objectives, such as
   robustness, which are applicable in a broad sense.  Specific
   functions which are not reasonably attainable or best left to future
   efforts are identified as non-requirements.

   The intent of this document is to provide both the goals and
   functional requirements in a concise fashion.  Supporting arguments,



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