RFC 901 (rfc901) - Page 1 of 28

Official ARPA-Internet protocols

Alternative Format: Original Text Document
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Network Working Group                                        J. Reynolds
Request for Comments: 901                                      J. Postel
                                                                     ISI
Obsoletes: RFCs  880, 840                                      June 1984


                    OFFICIAL ARPA-INTERNET PROTOCOLS


Status of this Memo

   This memo is an official status report on the protocols used in the
   ARPA-Internet community.

Introduction

   This RFC identifies the documents specifying the official protocols
   used in the Internet.  Annotations identify any revisions or changes
   planned.

   To first order, the official protocols are those in the "Internet
   Protocol Transition Workbook" (IPTW) dated March 1982.  There are
   several protocols in use that are not in the IPTW.  A few of the
   protocols in the IPTW have been revised.  Notably, the mail protocols
   have been revised and issued as a volume titled "Internet Mail
   Protocols" dated November 1982.  Telnet and the most useful option
   protocols were issued by the NIC in a booklet entitled "Internet
   Telnet Protocol and Options" (ITP), dated June 1983.  Some protocols
   have not been revised for many years, these are found in the old
   "ARPANET Protocol Handbook" (APH) dated January 1978.  There is also
   a volume of protocol related information called the "Internet
   Protocol Implementers Guide" (IPIG) dated August 1982.

   This document is organized as a sketchy outline.  The entries are
   protocols (e.g., Transmission Control Protocol).  In each entry there
   are notes on status, specification, comments, other references,
   dependencies, and contact.

      The status is one of: required, recommended, elective, or
      experimental.

      The specification identifies the protocol defining documents.

      The comments describe any differences from the specification or
      problems with the protocol.

      The other references identify documents that comment on or expand
      on the protocol.

      The dependencies indicate what other protocols are called upon by
      this protocol.



Reynolds & Postel
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