RFC 1134 (rfc1134) - Page 2 of 38
Point-to-Point Protocol: A proposal for multi-protocol transmission of datagrams over Point-to-Point links
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
RFC 1134 PPP November 1989
REFERENCES ............................................ 37
AUTHOR'S ADDRESS ...................................... 38
Status of this Memo
This memo defines a proposed protocol for the Internet community.
This proposal is the product of the Point-to-Point Protocol Working
Group of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). Comments on this
memo should be submitted to the IETF Point-to-Point Protocol Working
Group chair by January 15, 1990. Comments will be reviewed at the
February 1990 IETF meeting, with the goal of advancing PPP to draft
standard status. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Abstract
The Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) provides a method for transmitting
datagrams over serial point-to-point links. PPP is composed of three
parts:
1. A method for encapsulating datagrams over serial links.
2. An extensible Link Control Protocol (LCP).
3. A family of Network Control Protocols (NCP) for establishing
and configuring different network-layer protocols.
This document defines the encapsulation scheme, the basic LCP, and an
NCP for establishing and configuring the Internet Protocol (IP)
(called the IP Control Protocol, IPCP).
The options and facilities used by the LCP and the IPCP are defined
in separate documents. Control protocols for configuring and
utilizing other network-layer protocols besides IP (e.g., DECNET,
OSI) are expected to be developed as needed.
1. Introduction
1.1. Motivation
In the last few years, the Internet has seen explosive growth in the
number of hosts supporting TCP/IP. The vast majority of these hosts
are connected to Local Area Networks (LANs) of various types,
Ethernet being the most common. Most of the other hosts are
connected through Wide Area Networks (WANs) such as X.25 style Public
Data Networks (PDNs). Relatively few of these hosts are connected
with simple point-to-point (i.e., serial) links. Yet, point-to-point
links are among the oldest methods of data communications and almost
Perkins