RFC 1169 (rfc1169) - Page 2 of 15

Explaining the role of GOSIP

RFC 1169              Explaining the Role of GOSIP           August 1990


   12.3  GOSIP Users' Guide.......................................... 13
   12.4  Addresses/Telephone Numbers................................. 14
   13.  Security Considerations...................................... 15
   14.  Authors' Addresses........................................... 15

2.  Abstract

   The Federal Networking Council (FNC), the Internet Activities Board
   (IAB), and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) have a firm
   commitment to responsible integration of OSI based upon sound network
   planning.  This implies that OSI will be added to the Internet
   without sacrificing services now available to existing Internet
   users, and that a multi-protocol environment will exist in the
   Internet for a prolonged period.  Planning is underway within the
   Internet community to enable integration of OSI, coexistence of OSI
   with TCP/IP, and interoperability between OSI and TCP/IP.

   The U.S. Government OSI Profile (GOSIP) is a necessary tool for
   planning OSI integration.  However, as the August 1990 requirement
   date for GOSIP compliance approaches, concern remains as to how GOSIP
   should be applied to near-term network planning.

   The intent of this statement is to help explain the role and
   applicability of the GOSIP document, as well as to emphasize the
   government's commitment to an integrated interoperable OSI
   environment based on responsible planning.

3.  Introduction

   The Federal Agencies, represented in the Federal Networking Council
   (FNC), as well as the Internet community represented by the Internet
   Activities Board (IAB), and the Internet Engineering Task Force
   (IETF) are fully committed to integrating OSI into the Internet, as
   it is recognized that OSI is an international standard networking
   protocol suite.  The FNC, IAB, and IETF are taking sound technical
   steps to integrate OSI in a fashion and on a schedule that assures
   current levels of service to users of the existing operational
   networks that are a part of the Internet.  The large existing
   installed base of TCP/IP protocol users, the limited deployment of
   commercial OSI products, and the incomplete development of OSI
   standards for routing, network management, and directory services
   combine to make an immediate, total transition to a pure OSI
   environment in the Internet unrealistic.

   In what follows, we present a brief overview of GOSIP and we address
   some of the often confusing points about the intent, applicability,
   and implementation of GOSIP.  We also describe the role of the IETF
   regarding the integration of OSI into the Internet.  Further, we



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