RFC 1838 (rfc1838) - Page 1 of 8
Use of the X
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group S. Kille
Request for Comments: 1838 ISODE Consortium
Category: Experimental August 1995
Use of the X.500 Directory to support mapping between X.400
and RFC 822 Addresses
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.
Abstract
This document defines how to use directory to support the mapping
between X.400 O/R Addresses and mailboxes defined in RFC 1327 [2].
1. X.400/RFC 822 Mappings
RFC 1327 defines an algorithm for maintaining a global mapping
between X.400 and RFC 822 addresses directory [2]. RFC 1327 also
defines a table based mechanism for maintaining this mapping. There
is substantial benefit to maintaining this mapping within the
directory. In particular, this will lead to an approach for managing
the mapping which is both distributed and scalable.
Mechanisms for representing O/R Address and Domain hierarchies within
the DIT are defined in [1, 5]. These techniques are used to define
two independent subtrees in the DIT, which contain the mapping
information. The benefits of this approach are:
1. The mapping information is kept in a clearly defined area which
can be widely replicated in an efficient manner. The tree is
constrained to hold only information needed to support the
mapping. This is important as gateways need good access to the
entire mapping.
2. It facilitates migration from the currently deployed table-based
approach.
3. It handles the issues of "missing components" in a natural
manner.
Kille Experimental