RFC 3639 (rfc3639) - Page 1 of 8

Considerations on the use of a Service Identifier in Packet Headers

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Network Working Group                                  M. St. Johns, Ed.
Request for Comments: 3639                                G. Huston, Ed.
Category: Informational                                              IAB
                                                            October 2003


                    Considerations on the use of a
                  Service Identifier in Packet Headers

Status of this Memo

   This memo provides information for the Internet community.  It does
   not specify an Internet standard of any kind.  Distribution of this
   memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2003).  All Rights Reserved.

Abstract

   This memo describes some considerations relating to the use of IP
   protocol number fields and payload protocol (e.g., TCP) port fields
   to identify particular services that may be associated with that port
   number or protocol number.

1.  Introduction

   This memo describes some considerations relating to the use of IP
   protocol number fields and payload protocol (e.g., TCP) port or
   service fields to identify particular services that may be associated
   with that port number or protocol number.  It is a general statement
   regarding appropriate processing and use of service identifiers by
   intermediate systems.

   This memo points out that various measures by intermediate systems
   that are intended to filter or prevent the transmission of traffic
   based on the service identification within the traffic flow will have
   a limited effect.   This will also have a major side-effect of
   forcing the affected services to be redesigned using various forms of
   encapsulation or dynamic port negotiation in order to remove the
   fixed service identification from the IP packet headers.  The IAB
   does not believe this serves the general interests of the Internet
   community related to the design of simple and reliable Internet
   applications.  This memo suggests some thought be given to control
   mechanisms that do not rely on intermediary systems taking actions
   based on an assumed relationship between the service identifier in
   the packet and the actual service of which the packet is a part.



St. Johns & Huston           Informational
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