RFC 2227 (rfc2227) - Page 1 of 37
Simple Hit-Metering and Usage-Limiting for HTTP
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group J. Mogul
Request for Comments: 2227 DECWRL
Category: Standards Track P. Leach
Microsoft
October 1997
Simple Hit-Metering and Usage-Limiting for HTTP
Status of this Memo
This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (1997). All Rights Reserved.
ABSTRACT
This document proposes a simple extension to HTTP, using a new
"Meter" header, which permits a limited form of demographic
information (colloquially called "hit-counts") to be reported by
caches to origin servers, in a more efficient manner than the
"cache-busting" techniques currently used. It also permits an origin
server to control the number of times a cache uses a cached response,
and outlines a technique that origin servers can use to capture
referral information without "cache-busting."
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1 Introduction 2
1.1 Goals, non-goals, and limitations 3
1.2 Brief summary of the design 4
1.3 Terminology 5
2 Overview 5
2.1 Discussion 7
3 Design concepts 8
3.1 Implementation of the "metering subtree" 8
3.2 Format of the Meter header 10
3.3 Negotiation of hit-metering and usage-limiting 10
3.4 Transmission of usage reports 14
3.5 When to send usage reports 15
3.6 Subdivision of usage-limits 16
Mogul & Leach Standards Track