RFC 1196 (rfc1196) - Page 1 of 12
Finger User Information Protocol
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group D. Zimmerman
Request for Comments: 1196 Center for Discrete Mathematics and
Obsoletes: RFCs 1194, 742 Theoretical Computer Science
December 1990
The Finger User Information Protocol
Status of this Memo
This memo defines a protocol for the exchange of user information.
This RFC specifies an IAB standards track protocol for the Internet
community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements.
Please refer to the current edition of the "IAB Official Protocol
Standards" for the standardization state and status of this protocol.
Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Abstract
This memo describes the Finger User Information Protocol. This is a
simple protocol which provides an interface to a remote user
information program.
Based on RFC 742, a description of the original Finger protocol, this
memo attempts to clarify the expected communication between the two
ends of a Finger connection. It also tries not to invalidate the
many existing implementations or add unnecessary restrictions to the
original protocol definition. This edition corrects and clarifies in
a minor way, RFC 1194.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ........................................... 2
1.1. Intent ............................................... 2
1.2. History .............................................. 3
1.3. Requirements ......................................... 3
2. Use of the protocol .................................... 3
2.1. Flow of events ....................................... 3
2.2. Data format .......................................... 4
2.3. Query specifications ................................. 4
2.4. RUIP {Q2} behavior ................................... 4
2.5. Expected RUIP response ............................... 5
2.5.1. {C} query .......................................... 5
2.5.2. {U}{C} query ....................................... 6
2.5.3. {U} ambiguity ...................................... 6
2.5.4. /W query token ..................................... 6
2.5.5. Vending machines ................................... 7
3. Security ............................................... 7
Zimmerman