RFC 2972 (rfc2972) - Page 1 of 11

Context and Goals for Common Name Resolution

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Network Working Group                                            N. Popp
Request for Comments: 2972                         RealNames Corporation
Category: Informational                                      M. Mealling
                                                       Network Solutions
                                                             L. Masinter
                                                               AT&T Labs
                                                              K. Sollins
                                                                     MIT
                                                            October 2000


              Context and Goals for Common Name Resolution

Status of this Memo

   This memo provides information for the Internet community.  It does
   not specify an Internet standard of any kind.  Distribution of this
   memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2000).  All Rights Reserved.

Abstract

   This document establishes the context and goals for a Common Name
   Resolution Protocol.  It defines the terminology used concerning a
   "Common Name" and how one might be "resolved", and establishes the
   distinction between "resolution" and more elaborate search
   mechanisms.  It establishes some expected contexts for use of Common
   Name Resolution, and the criteria for evaluating a successful
   protocol.  It also analyzes the various motivations that would cause
   services to provide Common Name resolution for both public, private
   and commercial use.

   This document is intended as input to the formation of a Common Name
   Resolution Protocol working group.  Please send any comments to
   .  To review the mail archives, see
   

1. Introduction

   People often refer to things in the real world by a common name or
   phrase, e.g., a trade name, company name, or a book title.  These
   names are sometimes easier for people to remember and enter than
   URLs; many people consider URLs hard to remember or type.
   Furthermore, because of the limited syntax of URLs, companies and
   individuals are finding that the ones that might be most reasonable



Popp, et al.                 Informational
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