RFC 61 (rfc61) - Page 2 of 18
Note on Interprocess Communication in a Resource Sharing Computer Network
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
RFC 61 Interprocess Communication in a Computer Network July 1970
Interprocess Communication
in a
Resource Sharing Computer Network
INTRODUCTION
"A resource sharing computer network is defined to be a set of
autonomous, independent computer systems, interconnected so as to
permit each computer system to utilize all of the resources of each
other computer system. That is, a program running in one computer
system should be able to call on the resources of the other computer
systems much as it would normally call a subroutine." This
definition of a network and the desirability of such a network is
expounded upon by Roberts and Wessler in [1].
The actual act of resource sharing can be performed in two ways: in a
pairwise ad hoc manner between all pairs of computer systems in the
network or according to a systematic network wide standard. This
paper develops one possible network wide system for resource sharing.
I believe it is natural to think of resources as being associated
with processes [2] and therefore view the fundamental problem of
resource sharing to be the problem of interprocess communication. I
also share with Carr, Crocker, and Cerf [3] the view that
interprocess communication over a network is a subcase of general
interprocess communication in a multiprogrammed environment.
These views pervade this study and have led to a two part study.
First, a model for a time-sharing system having capabilities
particularly suitable for enabling interprocess communication is
constructed. Next, it is shown that these capabilities can be easily
used in a generalized manner which permits interprocess communication
between processes distributed over a computer network.
This note contains ideas based on many sources. Particularly
influential were -- 1) an early sketch of a Host protocol for the
ARPA Network [1][3][4] by W. Crowther of Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc.
(BBN) and S. Crocker of UCLA; 2) Ackerman and Plummer's paper on the
MIT PDP-1 time sharing system [5]; and 3) discussion with R. Kahn of
BBN about Host protocol, message control, and routing for the ARPA
Network. Hopefully, there are also some original ideas in this note.
I alone am responsible for the collection of all of these ideas into
the system described herein, and I am therefore responsible for any
inconsistencies or bugs in this system.
It must be emphasized that this note does not represent an official
BBN position on Host protocol for the ARPA Computer Network.
Walden