RFC 945 (rfc945) - Page 1 of 2

DoD statement on the NRC report

Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Next >
Network Working Group                                             Postel
Request for Comments: 945                                            ISI
                                                                May 1985

                   A DoD Statement on the NRC Report

STATUS OF THIS MEMO

   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.  Distribution of this memo is
   unlimited.

CONTEXT

   In December 1978, the Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for
   Research and Engineering, Gerald P. Dinneen, USDR&E, issued a
   memorandum mandating the use of TCP/IP for all packet-oriented data
   networks where there is potential for host-to-host connectivity
   across network or subnetwork boundaries, and designating the Defense
   Communications Agency as the DoD Executive Agent for computer
   communications protocols (see IEN-152).

   In April 1980, the Assistant Secretary of Defense for Communications,
   Command, Control, and Intelligence, Gerald P. Dinneen, ASDC3I, issued
   a memorandum reaffirming the requirement of TCP/IP, confirming the
   role of DCA as the Executive Agent, and approving a plan for the
   organization and activities of the Executive Agent (see IEN-152).

   In March 1982, Richard D. DeLauer, ASDC3I, issued a memorandum
   reaffirming the requirement for the use of TCP/IP, and reaffirming
   the role of DCA as Executive Agent (see IEN-207).

   However, there is also a DoD policy of long standing to use non-DoD
   standards when such standards are available and meet the military
   requirements.  This policy is cited in DeLauer's memorandum.

   Because questions were raised about the DoD use of TCP/IP as a
   protocol standard, while the ISO is developing an differing set of
   standards, and the NBS is working toward establishing the ISO
   standards as FIPS, 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.







Postel
Next >