RFC 327 (rfc327) - Page 2 of 5
Data and File Transfer workshop notes
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
RFC 327 Data and File Transfer Workshop Notes April 1972
Richard Winter discussed the Datacomputer application. The
Datacomputer though usable from terminals directly will not be
engineered for direct terminal users, but for use by programs. In
Datalanguage a user can define data and file structure, and also how
the file/data is to be transferred. Using the data language it is
possible to transfer entire files, or only the relevant parts of
files. The following is an example of file transfer as currently
envisioned in the Datacomputer.
LOGIN
CREATE
CREATE
PORT = (for transfer to Datacomputer)
= (for transfer from Datacomputer)
LOGOUT
(CREATE statements are needed only when the description(s) required
are not already on file at the Datacomputer. A port description can
specify a standard "external name", thus making a port statement
optional also. "External name" is to be a HOST-socket specification.
The data transfer is to be in accordance with network data transfer
standards. The File and Port descriptions are to be in
Datalanguage.)
Alex McKenzie discussed the TIP user needs, describing the current
capabilities and limitations of TIPs and TIP terminals. TELNET
format is the first choice of TIP users, followed by DTP using the
indefinite bit stream mode. There are two TIPs with magnetic tape
systems which are capable of transferring data between them using the
current DTP (RFC 264) in the descriptor count mode (utilizing
sequence number option).
Bob Braden discussed the RJS protocol and presented some data on RJS
use. NETRJS is 1% of CCN job load representing 2,000 jobs, 10,000
sessions and 1,000 hours connect time in the last 5 months. Average
job input is of the order of 100,000 bits (400 cards), average job
output is 700,000 bits (1,000 lines). Large files have about 10
million bits representing about 8-10 minutes of transmission time.
The RJS protocol will be defined in a forthcoming document.
Ray Tomlinson described the CPYNET system BBN is using to transfer
files among TENEX systems. CPYNET commands are ASCII strings with a
fixed syntax. The original connection is closed after a command is
accepted, and data is transferred on a new connection using previous
socket number, but with possibly a different byte size. The data
transfer rate achieved in CPYNET has been about 10 Kb/s.
Bhushan