RFC 1011 (rfc1011) - Page 1 of 52


Official Internet protocols



Alternative Format: Original Text Document



Network Working Group                                        J. Reynolds
Request for Comments: 1011                                     J. Postel
                                                                     ISI
Obsoletes: RFCs 991, 961, 943, 924, 901, 880, 840               May 1987


                      OFFICIAL INTERNET PROTOCOLS


STATUS OF THIS MEMO

   This memo is an official status report on the protocols used in the
   Internet community.  Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

INTRODUCTION

   This RFC identifies the documents specifying the official protocols
   used in the Internet.  Comments indicate any revisions or changes
   planned.

   To first order, the official protocols are those specified in the
   "DDN Protocol Handbook" (DPH), dated December 1985 (this is a three
   volume set with a total thickness of about 5 inches).

   Older collections that include many of these  specifications are the
   "Internet Protocol Transition Workbook" (IPTW), dated March 1982; the
   "Internet Mail Protocols", dated November 1982; and the "Internet
   Telnet Protocols and Options", dated June 1983.  There is also a
   volume of protocol related information called the "Internet Protocol
   Implementers Guide" (IPIG) dated August 1982.  An even older
   collection is the "ARPANET Protocol Handbook" (APH) dated
   January 1978.  Nearly all the relevant material from these
   collections has been reproduced in the current DPH.

   The following material is organized as a sketchy outline.  The
   entries are protocols (e.g., Transmission Control Protocol).  In each
   entry there are notes on status, specification, comments, other
   references, dependencies, and contact.

      The STATUS is one of: required, recommended, elective,
      experimental, or none.

      The SPECIFICATION identifies the protocol defining documents.

      The COMMENTS describe any differences from the specification or
      problems with the protocol.

      The OTHER REFERENCES identify documents that comment on or expand
      on the protocol.




Reynolds & Postel