RFC 2640 (rfc2640) - Page 1 of 27
Internationalization of the File Transfer Protocol
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group B. Curtin
Request for Comments: 2640 Defense Information Systems Agency
Updates: 959 July 1999
Category: Proposed Standard
Internationalization of the File Transfer Protocol
Status of this Memo
This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (1999). All Rights Reserved.
Abstract
The File Transfer Protocol, as defined in RFC 959 [RFC 959] and RFC
1123 Section 4 [RFC 1123], is one of the oldest and widely used
protocols on the Internet. The protocol's primary character set, 7
bit ASCII, has served the protocol well through the early growth
years of the Internet. However, as the Internet becomes more global,
there is a need to support character sets beyond 7 bit ASCII.
This document addresses the internationalization (I18n) of FTP, which
includes supporting the multiple character sets and languages found
throughout the Internet community. This is achieved by extending the
FTP specification and giving recommendations for proper
internationalization support.
Table of Contents
ABSTRACT.......................................................1
1 INTRODUCTION.................................................2
1.1 Requirements Terminology..................................2
2 INTERNATIONALIZATION.........................................3
2.1 International Character Set...............................3
2.2 Transfer Encoding Set.....................................4
3 PATHNAMES....................................................5
3.1 General compliance........................................5
3.2 Servers compliance........................................6
3.3 Clients compliance........................................7
4 LANGUAGE SUPPORT.............................................7
Curtin Proposed Standard