RFC 72 (rfc72) - Page 2 of 3
Proposed Moratorium on Changes to Network Protocol
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group RFC 72 Robert D. Bressler
The first, and perhaps the most important, is getting the system
working as soon as possible. The major benefits of the network will
be in the uses to which it is put, and development along those lines
cannot really get off its feet until the network is operational. We
feel that, although the effort needed to reprogram part of the NCP at
a later date will undoubtedly be greater, it will be hidden by the
parallel effort then going on involving network usage and higher
level network development.
Another problem that immediately arises is what should constitute
an official change to the protocol. The history of the development
of the current protocol shows that once an idea is raised, it is
modified many times before it is generally agreeable to all. Thus
each new suggestion for change could conceivably retard program
development in terms of months.
Finally there is the consideration that an idea may prove
unfeasible once actual operation of the network begins. Any one of
the currently agreed upon issues may be reopened when full scale
testing begins to take place.
We think that these considerations are important enough to freeze
the network protocol unless any problems arise that would make a
certain feature unimplementable. Changes then leading simply to
greater efficiency would be saved until actual network operation has
been tested.