RFC 1693 (rfc1693) - Page 1 of 36

An Extension to TCP : Partial Order Service

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Network Working Group                                       T.  Connolly
Request for Comments: 1693                                       P. Amer
Category: Experimental                                         P. Conrad
                                                  University of Delaware
                                                           November 1994


              An Extension to TCP : Partial Order Service

Status of This Memo

   This memo defines an Experimental Protocol for the Internet
   community.  This memo does not specify an Internet standard of any
   kind.  Discussion and suggestions for improvement are requested.
   Distribution of this memo is unlimited

IESG Note:

   Note that the work contained in this memo does not describe an
   Internet standard.  The Transport AD and Transport Directorate do not
   recommend the implementation of the TCP modifications described.
   However, outside the context of TCP, we find that the memo offers a
   useful analysis of how misordered and incomplete data may be handled.
   See, for example, the discussion of Application Layer Framing by D.
   Clark and D. Tennenhouse in, "Architectural Considerations for a New
   Generation of Protocols", SIGCOM 90 Proceedings, ACM, September 1990.

Abstract

   This RFC introduces a new transport mechanism for TCP based upon
   partial ordering.  The aim is to present the concepts of partial
   ordering and promote discussions on its usefulness in network
   communications.  Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Introduction

   A service which allows partial order delivery and partial reliability
   is one which requires some, but not all objects to be received in the
   order transmitted while also allowing objects to be transmitted
   unreliably (i.e., some may be lost).

   The realization of such a service requires, (1) communication and/or
   negotiation of what constitutes a valid ordering and/or loss-level,
   and (2) an algorithm which enables the receiver to ascertain the
   deliverability of objects as they arrive.  These issues are addressed
   here - both conceptually and formally - summarizing the results of
   research and initial implementation efforts.




Connolly, Amer & Conrad
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