RFC 1042 (rfc1042) - Page 1 of 15


Standard for the transmission of IP datagrams over IEEE 802 networks



Alternative Format: Original Text Document



Network Working Group                                          J. Postel
Request for Comments:  1042                                  J. Reynolds
                                                                     ISI
Obsoletes: RFC-948                                         February 1988



 A Standard for the Transmission of IP Datagrams over IEEE 802 Networks


Status of this Memo

   This RFC specifies a standard method of encapsulating the Internet
   Protocol (IP) [1] datagrams and Address Resolution Protocol (ARP) [2]
   requests and replies on IEEE 802 Networks.  This RFC specifies a
   protocol standard for the Internet community.  Distribution of this
   memo is unlimited.

Acknowledgment

   This memo would not exist with out the very significant contributions
   of Drew Perkins of Carnegie Mellon University, Jacob Rekhter of the
   T.J. Watson Research Center, IBM Corporation, and Joseph Cimmino of
   the University of Maryland.

Introduction

   The goal of this specification is to allow compatible and
   interoperable implementations for transmitting IP datagrams and ARP
   requests and replies.  To achieve this it may be necessary in a few
   cases to limit the use that IP and ARP make of the capabilities of a
   particular IEEE 802 standard.

   The IEEE 802 specifications define a family of standards for Local
   Area Networks (LANs) that deal with the Physical and Data Link Layers
   as defined by the ISO Open System Interconnection Reference Model
   (ISO/OSI).  Several Physical Layer standards (802.3, 802.4, and
   802.5) [3,4,5] and one Data Link Layer Standard (802.2) [6] have been
   defined.  The IEEE Physical Layer standards specify the ISO/OSI
   Physical Layer and the Media Access Control Sublayer of the ISO/OSI
   Data Link Layer.  The 802.2 Data Link Layer standard specifies the
   Logical Link Control Sublayer of the ISO/OSI Data Link Layer.

   This memo describes the use of IP and ARP on the three types of
   networks.  At this time, it is not necessary that the use of IP and
   ARP be consistent across all three types of networks, only that it be
   consistent within each type.  This may change in the future as new
   IEEE 802 standards are defined and the existing standards are revised



Postel & Reynolds