RFC 86 (rfc86) - Page 1 of 6

Proposal for a Network Standard Format for a Data Stream to Control Graphics Display

Network Working Group                                           S. Croker
Request for Comments #86                                        January 5, 1971
NIC 5631                                                        UCLA

                 Proposal for a Network Standard Format
             for a Data Stream to Control Graphics Display


A typical arrangement of facilities is to have a console attached to a

computer at the user's site, and to be using the computational facilities

of a remote site.  Information entered by the user is transmitted to the

remote Host, and output from the remote Host is transmitted back to the

local user.  In this proposal I am concerned with specifying the form of

the output stream for the case that the output portion of the console is a

typical refresh display with point, vector and character drawing capability.

Devices in this class include the DEC 338, DEC 340, IBM 2250, and IMLAC

PDS-1.



It must be understood that this proposal is illustrative only, and knowingly

avoids important issues.  Its main purpose is to provide a basis for dis-

cussion and development.



In order to specify the semantices of the network standard graphics data

stream (NGDS), I will postulate

   1.   a network standard display list (NGDL)

   2.   a network standard stream interpreter (NGSI)

   3.   a network standard list interpreter (NGLI), also called the
        display controller, and

   4.   a network standard screen (NGS)