RFC 1692 (rfc1692) - Page 1 of 12

Transport Multiplexing Protocol (TMux)

Alternative Format: Original Text Document
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Network Working Group                                         P. Cameron
Request for Comments: 1692                  Xylogics, International Ltd.
Category: Standards Track                                     D. Crocker
                                                  Silicon Graphics, Inc.
                                                                D. Cohen
                                                                 Myricom
                                                               J. Postel
                                                                     ISI
                                                             August 1994


                 Transport Multiplexing Protocol (TMux)

Status of this Memo

   This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
   Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
   improvements.  Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
   Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
   and status of this protocol.  Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Abstract

   One of the problems with the use of terminal servers is the large
   number of small packets they can generate. Frequently, most of these
   packets are destined for only one or two hosts.  TMux is a protocol
   which allows multiple short transport segments, independent of
   application type, to be combined between a server and host pair.

Acknowledgments

   This specification is the result of the merger of two documents: the
   original TMux proposal which was the result of several discussions
   and related initiatives through IETF working groups; and IEN 90 [1]
   originally proposed by Danny Cohen and Jon Postel in May 1979.

Applicability Statement

   The TMux protocol is intended to optimize the transmission of large
   numbers of small data packets that are generated in situations where
   many interactive Telnet and Rlogin sessions are connected to a few
   hosts on the network.  In these situations, TMux can improve both
   network and host performance.  TMux is not intended for multiplexing
   long streams composed of large blocks of data that are typically
   transmitted by such applications as FTP.

   The TMux protocol may be applicable to other situations where small
   packets are generated, but this was not considered in the design.



Cameron, Crocker, Cohen & Postel
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