RFC 2611 (rfc2611) - Page 1 of 14

URN Namespace Definition Mechanisms

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Network Working Group                                          L. Daigle
Request for Comments: 2611                      Thinking Cat Enterprises
BCP: 33                                                     D. van Gulik
Category: Best Current Practice                      ISIS/CEO, JRC Ispra
                                                             R. Iannella
                                                            DSTC Pty Ltd
                                                            P. Faltstrom
                                                           Tele2/Swipnet
                                                               June 1999


                  URN Namespace Definition Mechanisms

Status of this Memo

   This document specifies an Internet Best Current Practices for the
   Internet Community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
   improvements.  Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (C) The Internet Society (1999).  All Rights Reserved.

Abstract

   The URN WG has defined a syntax for Uniform Resource Names (URNs)
   [RFC 2141], as well as some proposed mechanisms for their resolution
   and use in Internet applications ([RFC 2168, RFC 2169]). The whole
   rests on the concept of individual "namespaces" within the URN
   structure.  Apart from  proof-of-concept namespaces, the use of
   existing identifiers in URNs has been discussed ([RFC 2288]), and this
   document lays out general definitions of and mechanisms for
   establishing URN "namespaces".

1.0 Introduction

   Uniform Resource Names (URNs) are resource identifiers with the
   specific requirements for enabling location independent
   identification of a resource, as well as longevity of reference.
   There are 2 assumptions that are key to this document:

   Assumption #1:

      Assignment of a URN is a managed process.

      I.e., not all strings that conform to URN syntax are necessarily
      valid URNs.  A URN is assigned according to the rules of a
      particular namespace (in terms of syntax, semantics, and process).



Daigle, et al.           Best Current Practice
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