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| author | Thomas Voss <mail@thomasvoss.com> | 2024-11-27 20:54:24 +0100 |
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| committer | Thomas Voss <mail@thomasvoss.com> | 2024-11-27 20:54:24 +0100 |
| commit | 4bfd864f10b68b71482b35c818559068ef8d5797 (patch) | |
| tree | e3989f47a7994642eb325063d46e8f08ffa681dc /doc/rfc/rfc1325.txt | |
| parent | ea76e11061bda059ae9f9ad130a9895cc85607db (diff) | |
doc: Add RFC documents
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diff --git a/doc/rfc/rfc1325.txt b/doc/rfc/rfc1325.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a9dc472 --- /dev/null +++ b/doc/rfc/rfc1325.txt @@ -0,0 +1,2355 @@ + + + + + + +Network Working Group G. Malkin +Request for Comments: 1325 Xylogics +FYI: 4 A. Marine +Obsoletes: RFC 1206 SRI + May 1992 + + + FYI on Questions and Answers + Answers to Commonly asked "New Internet User" Questions + +Status of this Memo + + This memo provides information for the Internet community. It does + not specify an Internet standard. Distribution of this memo is + unlimited. + +Abstract + + This FYI RFC is one of two FYI's called, "Questions and Answers" + (Q/A), produced by the User Services Working Group of the Internet + Engineering Task Force (IETF). The goal is to document the most + commonly asked questions and answers in the Internet. + +New Questions and Answers + + In addition to updating information contained in the previous version + of this FYI RFC, the following new questions have been added: + + Questions About the Internet: + How do I get a list of all the hosts on the Internet? + + Questions About Internet Documentation: + What is the RFC-INFO service? + What is an FYI? + What is an STD? + What is the Internet Monthly Report? + + Questions About Internet Organizations: + What is the Internet Society? + + Questions About Internet Services: + What is "archie"? + How do I Connect to archie? + + Mailing Lists and Sending Mail + How Do I Send Mail to Other Networks? + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 1] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + +Table of Contents + + 1. Introduction................................................. 2 + 2. Acknowledgements............................................. 3 + 3. Questions About the Internet................................. 3 + 4. Questions About TCP/IP....................................... 5 + 5. Questions About the Domain Name System....................... 6 + 6. Questions About Internet Documentation....................... 6 + 7. Questions about Internet Organizations and Contacts.......... 14 + 8. Questions About Services..................................... 19 + 9. Mailing Lists and Sending Mail............................... 23 + 10. Miscellaneous "Internet lore" questions..................... 27 + 11. Suggested Reading........................................... 28 + 12. References.................................................. 29 + 13. Condensed Glossary.......................................... 30 + 14. Security Considerations..................................... 42 + 15. Authors' Addresses.......................................... 42 + +1. Introduction + + New users joining the Internet community have the same questions as + did everyone else who has ever joined. Our quest is to provide the + Internet community with up to date, basic Internet knowledge and + experience, while moving the redundancies away from the electronic + mailing lists so that the lists' subscribers do not have to read the + same queries and answers over and over again. + + Future updates of this memo will be produced as User Services members + become aware of additional questions that should be included, and of + deficiencies or inaccuracies that should be amended in this document. + Although the RFC number of this document will change with each + update, it will always have the designation of FYI 4. An additional + FYI Q/A, FYI 7, is published that deals with intermediate and + advanced Q/A topics [11]. + + The Q/A mailing lists are maintained by Gary Malkin at Xylogics.COM. + They are used by a subgroup of the User Services Working Group to + discuss the Q/A FYIs. They include: + + quail@xylogics.com This is a discussion mailing list. Its + primary use is for pre-release review of + the Q/A FYIs. It is not necessary to be + on this list to get the FYI documents. + + quail-request@xylogics.com This is how you join and leave the quail + mailing list. + + quail-box@xylogics.com This is a write-only list which serves as a + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 2] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + repository for candidate questions and + answers. It is not necessary to be on the + quail mailing list to forward to the + quail-box. Please note that this is not a + place to ask questions to which you don't + know the answers. + +2. Acknowledgements + + The following people deserve thanks for their help and contributions + to this FYI Q/A: Corinne Carroll (BBN), Vint Cerf (CNRI), Peter + Deutsch (McGill), John Klensin (MIT), Doug Mildram (Xylogics), Tracy + LaQuey Parker (UTexas), Craig Partridge (BBN), Jon Postel (ISI), Matt + Power (MIT), Joyce K. Reynolds (ISI), Karen Roubicek (Faxon), + Patricia Smith (Merit), Gene Spafford (Purdue), and Carol Ward (SRI). + +3. Questions About the Internet + + What is the Internet? + + The Internet is a large collection of networks (all of which run + the TCP/IP protocols) that are tied together so that users of any + of the networks can use the network services provided by TCP/IP to + reach users on any of the other networks. The Internet started + with the ARPANET, but now includes such networks as NSFNET, + NYSERnet, and thousands of others. There are other major wide + area networks, such as BITNET and DECnet networks, that are not + based on the TCP/IP protocols and are thus not part of the + Internet. However, it is possible to communicate between them and + the Internet via electronic mail because of mail gateways that act + as "translators" between the different network protocols involved. + + Note: You will often see "internet" with a small "i". This could + refer to any network built based on TCP/IP, or might refer to + networks using other protocol families that are composites built + of smaller networks. + + I just got on the Internet. What can I do now? + + You now have access to all the resources you are authorized to use + on your own Internet host, on any other Internet host on which you + have an account, and on any other Internet host that offers + publicly accessible information. The Internet gives you the + ability to move information between these hosts via file + transfers. Once you are logged into one host, you can use the + Internet to open a connection to another, login, and use its + services interactively (this is known as remote login or + "TELNETing". In addition, you can send electronic mail to users + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 3] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + at any Internet site and to users on many non-Internet sites that + are accessible via electronic mail. + + There are various other services you can use. For example, some + hosts provide access to specialized databases or to archives of + information. The Internet Resource Guide provides information + regarding some of these sites. The Internet Resource Guide lists + facilities on the Internet that are available to users. Such + facilities include supercomputer centers, library catalogs and + specialized data collections. The guide is published by the NSF + Network Service Center (NNSC) and is continuously being updated. + The Resource Guide is distributed free via e-mail (send a note to + resource-guide-request@nnsc.nsf.net to join the e-mail + distribution) and via anonymous FTP (in nnsc.nsf.net:resource- + guide/*). Hardcopy is available at a nominal fee (to cover + reproduction costs) from the NNSC. Call the NNSC at 617-873-3400 + for more information. + + How do I find out if a site has a computer on the Internet? + + Three good sources to consult are "!%@:: A Directory of Electronic + Mail Addressing and Networks" by Donnalyn Frey and Rick Adams; + "The User's Directory of Computer Networks", by Tracy LaQuey; and + "The Matrix: Computer Networks and Conferencing Systems + Worldwide", by John Quarterman. + + In addition, it is possible to find some information about + Internet sites in the WHOIS database maintained at the DDN NIC at + Network Solutions, Inc.. The DDN NIC (Defense Data Network, + Network Information Center) provides an information retrieval + interface to the database that is also called WHOIS. To use this + interface, TELNET to NIC.DDN.MIL and type "whois" (carriage + return). No login is necessary. Type "help" at the whois prompt + for more information on using the facility. WHOIS will show many + sites, but may not show every site registered with the DDN NIC + (simply for reasons having to do with how the program is set up to + search the database). + + How do I get a list of all the hosts on the Internet? + + You really don't want that. The list includes almost 727,000 + hosts. Almost all of them require that you have access permission + to actually use them. However, there are many machines which + serve special functions and are available to the public. There is + not yet a definitive list, but below are some available machines. + They are available via telnet. + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 4] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + A geographic information server which provides latitude, + longitude and other statistics about a city. + + telnet martini.eecs.umich.edu 3000 + + The Library of Congress maintains an online catalog. + + telnet dra.com + + NASA SpaceLink offers latest NASA news including shuttle + launches and satellite updates. + + telnet spacelink.msfc.nasa.gov + +4. Questions About TCP/IP + + What is TCP/IP? + + TCP/IP (Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol) [4,5,6] + is the common name for a family of over 100 data-communications + protocols used to organize computers and data-communications + equipment into computer networks. TCP/IP was developed to + interconnect hosts on ARPANET, PRNET (packet radio), and SATNET + (packet satellite). All three of these networks have since been + retired; but TCP/IP lives on. It is currently used on a large + international network of networks called the Internet, whose + members include universities, other research institutions, + government facilities, and many corporations. TCP/IP is also + sometimes used for other networks, particularly local area + networks that tie together numerous different kinds of computers + or tie together engineering workstations. + + What are the other well-known standard protocols + in the TCP/IP family? + + Other than TCP and IP, the three main protocols in the TCP/IP + suite are the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) [8], the File + Transfer Protocol (FTP) [3], and the TELNET Protocol [9]. There + are many other protocols in use on the Internet. The Internet + Activities Board (IAB) regularly publishes an RFC [2] that + describes the state of standardization of the various Internet + protocols. This document is the best guide to the current status + of Internet protocols and their recommended usage. + + + + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 5] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + +5. Questions About the Domain Name System + + What is the Domain Name System? + + The Domain Name System (DNS) is a hierarchical, distributed method + of organizing the name space of the Internet. The DNS + administratively groups hosts into a hierarchy of authority that + allows addressing and other information to be widely distributed + and maintained. A big advantage to the DNS is that using it + eliminates dependence on a centrally-maintained file that maps + host names to addresses. + + What is a Fully Qualified Domain Name? + + A Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) is a domain name that + includes all higher level domains relevant to the entity named. + If you think of the DNS as a tree-structure with each node having + its own label, a Fully Qualified Domain Name for a specific node + would be its label followed by the labels of all the other nodes + between it and the root of the tree. For example, for a host, a + FQDN would include the string that identifies the particular host, + plus all domains of which the host is a part up to and including + the top-level domain (the root domain is always null). For + example, PARIS.NISC.SRI.COM is a Fully Qualified Domain Name for + the host at 192.33.33.109. In addition, NISC.SRI.COM is the FQDN + for the NISC domain. + +6. Questions About Internet Documentation + + What is an RFC? + + The Request for Comments documents (RFCs) are working notes of the + Internet research and development community. A document in this + series may be on essentially any topic related to computer + communication, and may be anything from a meeting report to the + specification of a standard. Submissions for Requests for + Comments may be sent to the RFC Editor (RFC-EDITOR@ISI.EDU). The + RFC Editor is Jon Postel. + + Most RFCs are the descriptions of network protocols or services, + often giving detailed procedures and formats for their + implementation. Other RFCs report on the results of policy + studies or summarize the work of technical committees or + workshops. All RFCs are considered public domain unless + explicitly marked otherwise. + + While RFCs are not refereed publications, they do receive + technical review from either the task forces, individual technical + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 6] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + experts, or the RFC Editor, as appropriate. Currently, most + standards are published as RFCs, but not all RFCs specify + standards. + + Anyone can submit a document for publication as an RFC. + Submissions must be made via electronic mail to the RFC Editor. + Please consult RFC 1111, "Instructions to RFC Authors" [10], for + further information. RFCs are accessible online in public access + files, and a short message is sent to a notification distribution + list indicating the availability of the memo. Requests to be + added to this distribution list should be sent to RFC- + REQUEST@NIC.DDN.MIL. + + The online files are copied by interested people and printed or + displayed at their sites on their equipment. (An RFC may also be + returned via electronic mail in response to an electronic mail + query.) This means that the format of the online files must meet + the constraints of a wide variety of printing and display + equipment. + + Once a document is assigned an RFC number and published, that RFC + is never revised or re-issued with the same number. There is + never a question of having the most recent version of a particular + RFC. However, a protocol (such as File Transfer Protocol (FTP)) + may be improved and re-documented many times in several different + RFCs. It is important to verify that you have the most recent RFC + on a particular protocol. The "IAB Official Protocol Standards" + [2] memo is the reference for determining the correct RFC to refer + to for the current specification of each protocol. + + How do I obtain RFCs? + + RFCs are available online at several repositories around the + world. For a list of repositories and instructions about how to + obtain RFCs from each of the major US ones, FTP the file in- + notes/rfc-retrieval.txt from the host ISI.EDU. That host supports + anonymous login. You can also get information about RFC + repositories via electronic mail. Send a message to rfc- + info@isi.edu. In the body of the message, type + "help: ways_to_get_rfcs" (without the quotes). + + Two examples of obtaining RFCs online follow. + + RFCs can be obtained via FTP from NIC.DDN.MIL, with the pathname + rfc/rfcNNNN.txt (where "NNNN" refers to the number of the RFC). + Login using FTP, username "anonymous" and password "guest". + + RFCs can also be obtained via FTP from NIS.NSF.NET. Using FTP, + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 7] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + login with username "anonymous" and password "guest"; then connect + to the RFC directory ("cd RFC"). The file name is of the form + RFCnnnn.TXT-1 (where "nnnn" refers to the number of the RFC). The + NIS also provides an automatic mail service for those sites which + cannot use FTP. Address the request to NIS-INFO@NIS.NSF.NET and + leave the subject field of the message blank. The first line of + the text of the message must be "SEND RFCnnnn.TXT-1", where nnnn + is replaced by the RFC number. + + Requests for special distribution should be addressed to either + the author of the RFC in question, to NIC@NIC.DDN.MIL, or to + NISC@NISC.SRI.COM. SRI International operates the + FTP.NISC.SRI.COM online repository of RFCs and other files, and + makes the RFCs available in hardcopy for those people who have + neither FTP nor e-mail access to the Internet. Hardcopy RFCs are + sold by SRI on a cost-recovery basis. In addition, SRI has a + hardcopy subscription service for RFCs, as well as several + publications that incorporate selections of RFCs. Unless + specifically noted otherwise on the RFC itself, all RFCs are for + unlimited distribution. + + How do I obtain a list of RFCs? + + SRI maintains a file that is an index of the RFCs. It lists each + RFC, starting with the most recent, and for each RFC provides the + number, title, author(s), issue date, and number of hardcopy + pages. In addition, it lists the online formats (PostScript or + ASCII text) for each RFC and the number of bytes each such version + is online. If an RFC is also an FYI, that fact is noted, with the + corresponding FYI number. (There is a parallel FYI Index + available). Finally, the Index notes whether or not an RFC is + obsoleted or updated by another RFC, and gives the number of that + RFC, or if an RFC itself obsoletes or updates another RFC, and + gives that RFC number. The index is updated online each time an + RFC is issued. + + This RFC Index is available online for anonymous FTP from the + FTP.NISC.SRI.COM host as rfc/rfc-index.txt. The FYI Index is + online as fyi/fyi-index.txt. They are also available via + electronic mail by sending a message to mail-server@nisc.sri.com. + In the body of the message, say "send rfc-index" or "send fyi- + index" (don't use quotes, but do use lowercase). The RFC Index is + also available from the SRI in hardcopy for $12, as are individual + RFCs. Call SRI at 1-415-859-3695 for help in obtaining the Index. + + + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 8] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + What is the RFC-INFO service? + + The Information Sciences Institute, University of Southern + California (ISI) has announced a service called RFC-Info. Even + though this is a service, rather than a document, we'll discuss it + in this section because it is so closely tied to RFC information. + + RFC-Info is an e-mail based service to help in locating and + retrival of RFCs and FYIs. Users can ask for "lists" of all RFCs + and FYIs having certain attributes ("filters") such as their ID, + keywords, title, author, issuing organization, and date. Once an + RFC is uniquely identified (e.g., by its RFC number) it may also + be retrieved. + + To use the service send e-mail to RFC-INFO@ISI.EDU with your + requests in the body of the message. Feel free to put anything in + the SUBJECT, the system ignores it. All input is case + independent. Report problems to RFC-MANAGER@ISI.EDU. + + To get started, you may send a message to RFC-INFO@ISI.EDU with + requests such as in the following examples (without the + explanations between brackets): + +Help: Help [to get this information] + +List: FYI [list the FYI notes] +List: RFC [list RFCs with window as keyword or in title] + keywords: window +List: FYI [list FYIs about windows] + Keywords: window +List: * [list both RFCs and FYIs about windows] + Keywords: window +List: RFC [list RFCs about ARPANET, ARPA NETWORK, etc.] + title: ARPA*NET +List: RFC [list RFCs issued by MITRE, dated 1989-1991] + Organization: MITRE + Dated-after: Jan-01-1989 + Dated-before: Dec-31-1991 +List: RFC [list RFCs obsoleting a given RFC] + Obsoletes: RFC0010 +List: RFC [list RFCs by authors starting with "Bracken"] + Author: Bracken* [* is a wild card matches everything] +List: RFC [list RFCs by both Postel and Gillman] + Authors: J. Postel [note, the "filters" are ANDed] + Authors: R. Gillman +List: RFC [list RFCs by any Crocker] + Authors: Crocker +List: RFC [list only RFCs by S.D. Crocker] + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 9] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + Authors: S.D. Crocker +List: RFC [list only RFCs by D. Crocker] + Authors: D. Crocker + +Retrieve: RFC [retrieve RFC-822] + Doc-ID: RFC0822 [note, always 4 digits in RFC#] + +Help: Manual [to retrieve the long user manual, 30+ pages] +Help: List [how to use the LIST request] +Help: Retrieve [how to use the RETRIEVE request] +Help: Topics [list topics for which help is available] +Help: Dates ["Dates" is such a topic] +List: keywords [list the keywords in use] +List: organizations [list the organizations known to the system] + + Which RFCs are Standards? + + See "IAB Official Protocol Standards" (currently, RFC 1280) [2]. + + What is an FYI? + + FYI stands for For Your Information. FYIs are a subset of the RFC + series of online documents. + + FYI 1 states, "The FYI series of notes is designed to provide + Internet users with a central repository of information about any + topics which relate to the Internet. FYI topics may range from + historical memos on operational questions. The FYIs are intended + for a wide audience. Some FYIs will cater to beginners, while + others will discuss more advanced topics." + + In general, then, FYI documents tend to be more information + oriented, while RFCs are usually (but not always) more technically + oriented. + + FYI documents are assigned both an FYI number and an RFC number. + As RFCs, if an FYI is ever updated, it is issued again with a new + RFC number; however, its FYI number remains unchanged. This can + be a little confusing at first, but the aim is to help users + identify which FYIs are about which topics. For example, FYI 4 + will always be FYI 4, even though it may be updated several times + and during that process receive different RFC numbers. Thus, you + need only to remember the FYI number to find the proper document. + Of course, remembering titles often works as well. + + FYIs can be obtained in the same way RFCs can and from the same + repositories. In general, their pathnames are fyi/fyiNN.txt or + fyi/fyiNN.ps, where NN is the number of the FYI without leading + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 10] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + zeroes. + + What is an STD? + + The newest subseries of RFCs are the STDs (Standards). RFC 1311 + [12], which introduces this subseries, states that the intent of + STDs is to identify clearly those RFCs that document Internet + standards. An STD number will be assigned only to those + specifications that have completed the full process of + standardization in the Internet. Existing Internet standards have + been assigned STD numbers; a list of them can be found both in RFC + 1311 and in the IAB Official Protocol Standards RFC. + + Like FYIs, once a standard has been assigned an STD number, that + number will not change, even if the standard is reworked and re- + specified and later issued with a new RFC number. + + It is important to differentiate between a "standard" and + "document." Different RFC documents will always have different RFC + numbers. However, sometimes the complete specification for a + standard will be contained in more than one RFC document. When + this happens, each of the RFC documents that is part of the + specification for that standard will carry the same STD number. + For example, the Domain Name System (DNS) is specified by the + combination of RFC 1034 and RFC 1035; therefore, both of those + RFCs are labeled STD 13. + + What is the Internet Monthly Report? + + The Internet Monthly Report communicates online to the Internet + Research Group the accomplishments, milestones reached, or + problems discovered by the participating organizations. Many + organizations involved in the Internet provide monthly updates of + their activities for inclusion in this report. + + The Internet Monthly Report is for Internet information purposes + only. + + You can receive the report online by joining the mailing list that + distributes the rerpot. Requests to be added or deleted from the + Internet Monthly report list should be sent to "cooper@isi.edu". + + In addition, back issues of the Report are available for anonymous + FTP from the host NIS.NSF.NET in the 'imr' directory with the file + names in the form IMRYY-MM.TXT, where YY is the last two digits of + the year and MM two digits for the month. For example, the June + 1991 Report is in the file IMR91-06.TXT. + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 11] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + What is an Internet Draft? Are there any guidelines available for + writing one? + + Internet Drafts (I-Ds) are the current working documents of the + IETF. Internet Drafts are generally in the format of an RFC with + some key differences: + + - The Internet Drafts are not RFCs and are not a numbered + document series. + + - The words INTERNET-DRAFT appear in place of RFC XXXX + in the upper left-hand corner. + + - The document does not refer to itself as an RFC or as a + Draft RFC. + + - An Internet Draft does not state nor imply that it is a + proposed standard. To do so conflicts with the role of + the IAB, the RFC Editor, and the Internet Engineering + Steering Group (IESG). + + An Internet Drafts Directory has been installed to make available, + for review and comment by the IETF members, draft documents that + will be submitted ultimately to the IAB and the RFC Editor to be + considered for publishing as an RFC. The Internet Drafts + Directories are maintained primarily at the NSFNET Network Service + Center (NNSC). There are several "shadow" machines which contain + the IETF and Internet Drafts Directories. They are: + + NSF Network Service Center: nnsc.nsf.net + DDN NIC: nic.ddn.mil + SRI International: ftp.nisc.sri.com + Pacific Rim: munnari.oz.au + Europe: nic.nordu.net (192.36.148.17) + + To access these directories, use anonymous FTP. Login with + username, "anonymous", password, "guest". Once logged in, change + to the directory, "cd internet-drafts". Internet Draft files can + then be retrieved. + + For further information on the Internet Drafts of the IETF, or if + you have problems with retrieving Internet Draft documents, + contact Megan Davies (mdavies@nri.reston.va.us) or Greg Vaudreuil + (gvaudre@nri.reston.va.us) for assistance. + + + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 12] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + How do I obtain OSI Standards documents? + + OSI Standards documents are NOT available from the Internet via + anonymous FTP due to copyright restrictions. These are available + from: + + Omnicom Information Service + 501 Church Street NE + Suite 304 + Vienna, VA 22180 USA + Telephone: (800) 666-4266 or (703) 281-1135 + Fax: (703) 281-1505 + + American National Standards Institute + 11 West 42nd Street + New York, NY 10036 USA + Telephone: (212) 642-4900 + + However, the GOSIP specification which covers the use of OSI + protocols within the U.S. Government is available from SRI and + from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). + The final text of GOSIP Version 2 is now available from both + sites. + + Online sources: + + Available through anonymous ftp from osi.ncsl.nist.gov + (129.6.48.100) as: + + ./pub/gosip/gosip_v2.txt -- ascii + ./pub/gosip/gosip_v2.txt.Z -- ascii compressed + ./pub/gosip/gosip_v2.ps -- PostScript + ./pub/gosip/gosip_v2.ps.Z -- PostScript compressed + + Available through anonymous ftp from ftp.nisc.sri.com + (192.33.33.22) as: + + netinfo/gosip-v2.txt -- ascii + netinfo/gosip-v2.ps -- PostScript + + Hardcopy sources: + + Standards Processing Coordinator (ADP) + National Institute of Standards and Technology + Technology Building, Room B-64 + Gaithersburg, MD 20899 + (301) 975-2816 + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 13] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + Network Information Systems Center + SRI International, Room EJ291 + 333 Ravenswood Ave. + Menlo Park, CA 94025 + 1-415-859-3695 + +7. Questions about Internet Organizations and Contacts + + What is the IAB? + + The Internet Activities Board (IAB) is the coordinating committee + for Internet design, engineering and management [7]. IAB members + are deeply committed to making the Internet function effectively + and evolve to meet a large scale, high speed future. The chairman + serves a term of two years and is elected by the members of the + IAB. The current Chair of the IAB is Lyman Chapin. The IAB + focuses on the TCP/IP protocol suite, and extensions to the + Internet system to support multiple protocol suites. + + The IAB performs the following functions: + + 1) Sets Internet Standards, + + 2) Manages the RFC publication process, + + 3) Reviews the operation of the IETF and IRTF, + + 4) Performs strategic planning for the Internet, identifying + long-range problems and opportunities, + + 5) Acts as an international technical policy liaison and + representative for the Internet community, and + + 6) Resolves technical issues which cannot be treated within + the IETF or IRTF frameworks. + + The IAB has two principal subsidiary task forces: + + 1) Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) + + 2) Internet Research Task Force (IRTF) + + Each of these Task Forces is led by a chairman and guided by a + Steering Group which reports to the IAB through its chairman. For + the most part, a collection of Research or Working Groups carries + out the work program of each Task Force. + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 14] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + All decisions of the IAB are made public. The principal vehicle + by which IAB decisions are propagated to the parties interested in + the Internet and its TCP/IP protocol suite is the Request for + Comments (RFC) note series and the Internet Monthly Report. + + What is the IETF? + + The Internet has grown to encompass a large number of widely + geographically dispersed networks in academic and research + communities. It now provides an infrastructure for a broad + community with various interests. Moreover, the family of + Internet protocols and system components has moved from + experimental to commercial development. To help coordinate the + operation, management and evolution of the Internet, the IAB + established the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). + + The IETF is chaired by Phill Gross and managed by its Internet + Engineering Steering Group (IESG). The IETF is a large open + community of network designers, operators, vendors, and + researchers concerned with the Internet and the Internet protocol + suite. It is organized around a set of several technical areas, + each managed by a technical area director. In addition to the + IETF Chairman, the area directors make up the IESG membership. + + The IAB has delegated to the IESG the general responsibility for + making the Internet work and for the resolution of all short- and + mid-range protocol and architectural issues required to make the + Internet function effectively. + + What is the IRTF? + + To promote research in networking and the development of new + technology, the IAB established the Internet Research Task Force + (IRTF). + + In the area of network protocols, the distinction between research + and engineering is not always clear, so there will sometimes be + overlap between activities of the IETF and the IRTF. There is, in + fact, considerable overlap in membership between the two groups. + This overlap is regarded as vital for cross-fertilization and + technology transfer. + + The IRTF is a community of network researchers, generally with an + Internet focus. The work of the IRTF is governed by its Internet + Research Steering Group (IRSG). The chairman of the IRTF and IRSG + is Jon Postel. + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 15] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + What is the Internet Society? + + The Internet Society is a relatively new, professional, non-profit + organization with the general goal of fostering the well-being and + continued interest in, and evolution and use of the Internet. The + Society (often abbreviated ISOC) anticipates that it will + integrate the IAB, IETF, and IRTF functions into its operation. + + The following goals of the Society are taken from its charter: + + A. To facilitate and support the technical evolution of + the Internet as a research and education infrastructure, and to + stimulate the involvement of the scientific community, + industry, government and others in the evolution of the + Internet; + + B. To educate the scientific community, industry and the + public at large concerning the technology, use and application + of the Internet; + + C. To promote educational applications of Internet + technology for the benefit of government, colleges and + universities, industry, and the public at large; + + D. To provide a forum for exploration of new Internet + applications, and to stimulate collaboration among + organizations in their operational use of the global Internet. + + More information about the Internet Society is available for + anonymous FTP from the host NNSC.NSF.NET in the directory isoc. + Here is a list of the files available: + + Filename (Topic) Description + + index-isoc An index of the isoc directory + + announcement Internet Society Announcement + + charter Internet Society Charter + + inet-conference INET 92 Internet Society Annual Meeting + Announcement and Call for Participation + + isoc-advisory-council The Internet Society advisory council + + isoc-founding-members List of the Internet Society founding + members + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 16] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + isoc-secretariat Information about the Internet Society + secretariat + + isoc-trustees List of the Internet Society trustees + + questions-and-answers Internet Society Questions & Answers + by Vint Cerf + + membership-organizations Internet Society Organizational + Membership Form + + membership-individuals Internet Society Individual Membership + Form + + This information is also available via electronic mail via the + NNSC Info-Server. The Info-Server is an automated program that + retrieves information through electronic mail. To receive these + files via the Info-Server, send a mail message to: info- + server@nnsc.nsf.net. In the body of the message, type "Request: + isoc" followed by the topic names of any files you'd like. For + example: + + Request: isoc + Topic: inet-conference + Topic: questions-and-answers + Topic: charter + Topic: announcement + Request: end + + Notice that the "Topics" for the Info-Server correspond to the + file names used when FTPing. + + What is the IANA? + + The task of coordinating the assignment of values to the + parameters of protocols is delegated by the Internet Activities + Board (IAB) to the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). + These protocol parameters include op-codes, type fields, terminal + types, system names, object identifiers, and so on. The "Assigned + Numbers" Request for Comments (RFC) [1] documents the currently + assigned values from several series of numbers used in network + protocol implementations. Internet addresses and Autonomous + System numbers are assigned by the Network Information Center at + Network Solutions, Inc. This responsibility has been delegated by + the IANA to the DDN NIC which serves as the Internet Registry. + The IANA is located at USC/Information Sciences Institute. + + Current types of assignments listed in Assigned Numbers and + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 17] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + maintained by the IANA are: + + Address Resolution Protocol Parameters + ARPANET and MILNET X.25 Address Mappings + ARPANET and MILNET Logical Addresses + ARPANET and MILNET Link Numbers + BOOTP Parameters and BOOTP Extension Codes + Domain System Parameters + IANA Ethernet Address Blocks + Ethernet Numbers of Interest + IEEE 802 Numbers of Interest + Internet Protocol Numbers + Internet Version Numbers + IP Time to Live Parameter + IP TOS Parameters + Machine Names + Mainl Encryption Types + Multicast Addresses + Network Management Parameters + Point-to-Point Protocol Field Assignments + PRONET 80 Type Numbers + Port Assignments + Protocol and Service Names + Protocol/Type Field Assignments + Public Data Network Numbers + Reverse Address Resolution Protocol Operation Codes + TELNET Options + Terminal Type Names + Unix Ports + X.25 Type Numbers + + For more information on number assignments, contact IANA@ISI.EDU. + + What is a NIC? What is a NOC? + + "NIC" stands for Network Information Center. It is an + organization which provides network users with information about + services provided by the network. + + "NOC" stands Network Operations Center. It is an organization + that is responsible for maintaining a network. + + For many networks, especially smaller, local networks, the + functions of the NIC and NOC are combined. For larger networks, + such as mid-level and backbone networks, the NIC and NOC + organizations are separate, yet they do need to interact to fully + perform their functions. + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 18] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + What is "The NIC"? + + "The NIC" usually refers to the Defense Data Network, Network + Information Center (DDN NIC), which is now at Network Solutions, + Inc. The DDN NIC is a network information center that maintains a + repository for RFCs and Internet Drafts. The host name is + NIC.DDN.MIL. Shadow copies of the RFCs and the Internet Drafts + are maintained on several other hosts as well, including + NIS.NSF.NET and FTP.NISC.SRI.COM. + + The DDN NIC also provides various user assistance services for DDN + users; contact NIC@NIC.DDN.MIL or call 1-800-365-3642 for more + information. In addition, the DDN NIC is the Internet + registration authority for the root domain and several top and + second level domains; maintains the official DoD Internet Host + Table; is the site of the Internet Registry (IR); and maintains + the WHOIS database of network users, hosts, domains, networks, and + Points of Contact. + + This NIC was located for many years at SRI International, so you + may also hear the term "SRI NIC". SRI also maintains an online + information repository and provides general Internet information + services. For example, the SRI Network Information Systems Center + is currently the only site that provides paper copies of the RFCs, + which are made available on a cost recovery basis. Call 415-859- + 3695 for more information on this service. + + What is the IR? + + The Internet Registry (IR) is the organization that is responsible + for assigning identifiers, such as IP network numbers and + autonomous system numbers, to networks. The IR also gathers and + registers such assigned information. The IR may, in the future, + allocate the authority to assign network identifiers to other + organizations; however, it will continue to gather data regarding + such assignments. At present, the DDN NIC at Network Solutions, + Inc., serves as the IR. + +8. Questions About Services + + How do I find someone's electronic mail address? + + There are a number of directories on the Internet; however, all of + them are far from complete. The largest directories are the WHOIS + database at the DDN NIC, the PSInet White Pages, and KNOWBOT. + Generally, it is still necessary to ask the person for his or her + email address. + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 19] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + How do I use the WHOIS program at the DDN NIC? + + To use the WHOIS program to search the WHOIS database at the DDN + NIC, TELNET to the NIC host, NIC.DDN.MIL. There is no need to + login. Type "whois" to call up the information retrieval program. + Next, type the name of the person, host, domain, network, or + mailbox for which you need information. If you are only typing + part of the name, end your search string with a period. Type + "help" for a more in-depth explanation of what you can search for + and how you can search. If you have trouble, send a message to + NIC@NIC.DDN.MIL or call 1-800-365-3642. + + How do I become registered in the DDN NIC's WHOIS database? + + If you would like to be listed in the WHOIS database, you must + have an electronic mailbox accessible from the Internet. First + obtain the file netinfo/user-template.txt. You can retrieve this + file via anonymous FTP from NIC.DDN.MIL. + + Fill out the name and address information requested in the file + and return it to REGISTRAR@NIC.DDN.MIL. Your application will be + processed and you will be added to the database. Unless you are + an official Point of Contact for a network entity registered at + the DDN NIC, the DDN NIC will not regularly poll you for updates, + so you should remember to send corrections to your information as + your contact data changes. + + How do I use the White Pages at PSI? + + Performance Systems International, Inc. (PSI), sponsors a White + Pages Pilot Project that collects personnel information from + member organizations into a database and provides online access to + that data. This effort is based on the OSI X.500 Directory + standard. + + To access the data, TELNET to WP.PSI.COM and login as "fred" (no + password is necessary). You may now look up information on + participating organizations. The program provides help on usage. + For example, typing "help" will show you a list of commands, + "manual" will give detailed documentation, and "whois" will + provide information regarding how to find references to people. + For a list of the organizations that are participating in the + pilot project by providing information regarding their members, + type "whois -org *". + + For more information, send a message to WP-INFO@PSI.COM. + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 20] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + How do I use the Knowbot Information Service? + + The Knowbot Information Service is a white pages "meta-service" + that provides a uniform interface to heterogeneous white pages + services in the Internet. Using the Knowbot Information Service, + you can form a single query that can search for white pages + information from the NIC WHOIS service, the PSI White Pages Pilot + Project, and MCI Mail, among others, and have the responses + displayed in a single, uniform format. + + Currently, the Knowbot Information Service can be accessed through + TELNET to port 185 on hosts nri.reston.va.us and sol.bucknell.edu. + From a UNIX host, use "telnet nri.reston.va.us 185". There is + also an electronic mail interface avaliable by sending mail to + netaddress at either nri.reston.va.us or sol.bucknell.edu. + + The commands "help" and "man" summarize the command interface. + Simply entering a user name at the prompt searches a default list + of Internet directory services for the requested information. + Organization and country information can be included thorgh the + syntax: "userid@organization.country". For example, the queries + "droms@bucknell" and "kille@ucl.gb" are both valid. Note that + these are not Domain Names, but rather a syntax to specify an + organization and a country for the search. + + The default list of directory services currently includes the + whois services at the DDN NIC and the white pages service for + MCIMail. If an organization is specified, the PSI X.500 service + is also searched. Other services can be requested explicitly. + + What is USENET? What is Netnews? + + USENET is the formal name, and Netnews a common informal name, for + a distributed computer information service that some hosts on the + Internet use. USENET handles only news and not mail. USENET uses + a variety of underlying networks for transport, including parts of + the Internet, UUCP, BITNET, and others. USENET is not part of the + Internet proper. Netnews can be a valuable tool to economically + transport traffic that would otherwise be sent via mail. USENET + has no central administration. + + How do I get on USENET? + + To get on USENET, you must acquire the software, which is + available for some computers at no cost from some anonymous FTP + sites across the Internet, and you must find an existing USENET + site that is willing to support a connection to your computer. In + many cases, this "connection" merely represents additional traffic + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 21] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + over existing Internet access channels. + + One well-known anonymous FTP archive site for software and + information regarding USENET is ftp.uu.net. There is a "news" + directory which contains many software distribution and + information sub-directories. + + It is recommended that new users subscribe to and read + news.announce.newusers since it will help to become oriented to + USENET and the Internet. + + What is anonymous FTP? + + Anonymous FTP is a conventional way of allowing you to sign on to + a computer on the Internet and copy specified public files from it + [3]. Some sites offer anonymous FTP to distribute software and + various kinds of information. You use it like any FTP, but the + username is "anonymous". Many systems will allow any password and + request that the password you choose is your userid. If this + fails, the generic password is usually "guest". + + What is "archie"? + + The archie system was created by a group at McGill University in + Montreal to automatically track anonymous FTP archive sites, and + this is still its primary function. The system curently makes + available the names and locations of some 1,500,000 files at some + 900 archive sites. + + Archie's User Access component allows you to search the "files" + database for these filenames. When matches are found, you are + presented with the appropriate archive site name, IP address, the + location within the archive, and other useful information. + + You can also use archie to "browse" through a site's complete + listing in search of information of interest, or obtain a complete + list of the archive sites known to that server. + + The archie server also offers a "package descriptions" (or + "whatis") database. This is a collection of names and descriptions + gathered from a variety of sources and can be used to identify + files located throughout the Internet, as well as other useful + information. Files identified in the whatis database can then be + found by searching the files database as described above. + Additional databases are planned for the coming months. + + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 22] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + How do I connect to archie? + + You can connect to archie in a variety of ways. There is a + conventional TELNET interface, an electronic mail interface, and a + variety of client programs available. There are currently nine + archie servers located throughout the world. + + To try the TELNET interface to archie you can TELNET to the host + ARCHIE.MCGILL.CA and login as user "archie" (there is no password + required). Type "help" to get you started. The "servers" command + can be used to locate an archie server closer to your site. Using + an archie server closer to you relieves some of the load on the + McGill host. + + You can obtain details on using the electronic mail interface by + sending mail to "archie@archie.mcgill.ca" with the word "help" in + either the subject or body of the message. + + Documentation on archie is available for anonymous ftp from + ARCHIE.MCGILL.CA in the subdirectory "archie/doc". A variety of + archie client programs are available in the subdirectory + "archie/clients". Questions, comments, and suggestions can be + sent to the archie development group by sending mail to "archie- + group@archie.mcgill.ca". + + What is "TELNET"? + + The term "TELNET" refers to the remote login that's possible on + the Internet because of the TELNET Protocol [9]. The use of this + term as a verb, as in "telnet to a host" means to establish a + connection across the Internet from one host to another. Usually, + you must have an account on the remote host to be able to login to + it once you've made a connection. However, some hosts, such as + those offering white pages directories, provide public services + that do not require a personal account. + +9. Mailing Lists and Sending Mail + + What is a mailing list? + + A mailing list is really nothing more than an alias that has + multiple destinations. Mailing lists are usually created to + discuss specific topics. Anybody interested in that topic, may + (usually) join that list. Some mailing lists have membership + restrictions, others have message content restrictions, and still + others are moderated. Most large, "public" mailing lists, such as + IETF and TCP-IP, have an additional mail address to which requests + to be added or deleted may be sent. Usually, these are of the + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 23] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + form listname-request. + + There is a "list-of-lists" file available on the host + ftp.nisc.sri.com that lists most of the major mailing lists, + describes their primary topics, and explains how to subscribe to + them. The file is available for anonymous ftp in the netinfo + directory as interest-groups (that is, the path is: + netinfo/interest-groups). It can also be obtained via electronic + mail. Send a message to mail-server@nisc.sri.com with the body of + the message reading, "Send netinfo/interest-groups" and the file + will be returned in moderate size pieces via electronic mail. + + How do I contact the administrator of a mailing list rather than + posting to the entire list? + + For every mailing list mentioned in the "interest-groups" file, + there is a description of how to join the list or send other such + administrative messages to the person in charge of the list. In + general, however, it is usually safe to assume that you can send a + message to an address in the format of ListName-request@domain. + The convention of having a parallel mailbox conforming to the "- + request" format is very widely followed. All administrative + messages regarding using, joining, or quitting the list should be + sent to that mailbox instead of to the whole list so that the + readers of the list don't have to read them. + + What are some good mailing lists? + + The TCP-IP, IETF, and RFC Distribution lists are primary lists for + new Internet users who desire further information about current + and emerging developments in the Internet. The first two lists + are unmoderated discussion lists, and the latter is an + announcement service used by the RFC Editor. + + How do I subscribe to the TCP-IP mailing list? + + To be added to the TCP-IP mailing list, send a message to: + + TCP-IP-REQUEST@NIC.DDN.MIL + + How do I subscribe to the IETF mailing list? + + To be added to the IETF mailing list, send a message to: + + IETF-REQUEST@ISI.EDU + + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 24] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + How do I subscribe to the RFC Distribution list? + + To be added to the RFC Distribution list, send a message to: + + RFC-REQUEST@NIC.DDN.MIL + + Note that all announcements to this list are also sent to the IETF + list. So, if you are on the IETF list, you don't need to be on + this list, too. + + How do I send mail to other networks? + + Mail to the Internet is addressed in the form user@domain. + Remember that a domain name can have several components and the + name of each host is a node on the domain tree. So, an example of + an Internet mail address is june@nisc.sri.com. + + There are several networks accessible via e-mail from the + Internet, but many of these networks do not use the same + addressing conventions the Internet does. Often you must route + mail to these networks through specific gateways as well, thus + further complicating the address. + + Here are a few conventions you can use for sending mail from the + Internet to three networks with which Internet users often + correspond. + + Internet user to Internet user: + + username@hostname.subdomain.toplevel domain + e.g. gsmith@nisc.sri.COM + + Internet user to BITNET user: + + user%site.BITNET@BITNET-GATEWAY + e.g. gsmith%emoryu1.BITNET@cunyvm.cuny.edu. + gsmith%emoryu1@CORNELLC.CIT.CORNELL.EDU + + Internet user to UUCP user: + + user%host.UUCP@uunet.uu.net + user%domain@uunet.uu.net + + + + + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 25] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + Internet user to SprintMail user: + + /G=Mary/S=Anderson/O=co.abc/ADMD=SprintMail/C=US/@SPRINT.COM + -or- + /PN=Mary.Anderson/O=co.abc/ADMD=SprintMail/C=US/@SPRINT.COM + (Case is significant.) + + Internet user to CompuServe user: + + Replace the comma in the CompuServe userid (represented + here + with x's) with a period, and add the compuserve.com + domain name. + + CompuServe user to Internet user: + + >Internet:user@host Insert >internet: before an + Internet address. + + Internet user to MCIMail user: + + accountname@mcimail.com + mci_id@mcimail.com + full_user_name@mcimail.com. + + What is a newsgroup? + + A newsgroup is a bulletin board which readers, interested in that + newsgroup's particular topic, can read and respond to messages + posted by other readers. Generally, there will be a few "threads" + of discussion going on at the same time, but they all share some + common theme. There are approximately 900 newsgroups, and there + are more being added all the time. + + There are two types of newsgroups: moderated and unmoderated. A + moderated newsgroup does not allow individuals to post directly to + the newsgroup. Rather, the postings go to the newsgroup's + moderator who determines whether or not to pass the posting to the + entire group. An unmoderated newsgroup allows a reader to post + directly to the other readers. + + How do I subscribe to a newsgroup? + + You don't subscribe to a newsgroup. Either you get it on your + machine or you don't. If there's one you want, all you can do is + ask the systems administrator to try to get it for you. The same + is true for creating newsgroups. + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 26] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + +10. Miscellaneous "Internet lore" questions + + What does :-) mean? + + In many electronic mail messages, it is sometimes useful to + indicate that part of a message is meant in jest. It is also + sometimes useful to communicate emotion which simple words do not + readily convey. To provide these nuances, a collection of "smiley + faces" has evolved. If you turn your head sideways to the left, + :-) appears as a smiling face. Some of the more common faces are: + + :-) smile :-( frown + + :) also a smile ;-) wink + + :-D laughing 8-) wide-eyed + + :-} grin :-X close mouthed + + :-] smirk :-o oh, no! + + What do "btw", "fyi", "imho", "wrt", and "rtfm" mean? + + Often commmon expressions are abbreviated in informal network + postings. These abbreviations stand for "by the way", "for your + information", "in my humble [or honest] opinion", "with respect + to", and "read the f*ing manual" (with the "f" word varying + according to the vehemence of the reader). + + What is the "FAQ" list? + + This list provides answers to "Frequently Asked Questions" that + often appear on various USENET newsgroups. The list is posted + every four to six weeks to the news.announce.newusers group. It + is intended to provide a background for new users learning how to + use the news. As the FAQ list provide new users with the answers + to such questions, it helps keep the newsgroups themselves + comparatively free of repetition. Often specific newsgroups will + have and frequently post versions of a FAQ list that are specific + to their topics. + + Other information is also routinely posted. Here are the subject + lines of several general information postings provided on USENET: + + Answers to Frequently Asked Questions (the "FAQ" list) + Introduction to news.announce + What is Usenet? + Rules for posting to Usenet + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 27] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + How to Create a New Newsgroup + How to Create a New Trial Newsgroup + A Primer on How to Work With the Usenet Community + Emily Postnews Answers Your Questions on Netiquette + Hints on writing style for Usenet + USENET Software: History and Sources + List of Active Newsgroups + Alternative Newsgroup Hierarchies, Part I + Alternative Newsgroup Hierarchies, Part II + How to Construct the Mailpaths File + Regional Newsgroup Hierarchies, Part I + Regional Newsgroup Hierarchies, Part II + Regional Newsgroup Hierarchies, Part III + List of Moderators + Publicly Accessible Mailing Lists, Part I + Publicly Accessible Mailing Lists, Part II + Publicly Accessible Mailing Lists, Part III + List of Periodic Informational Postings + How to Get Information about Networks + A Guide to Social Newsgroups and Mailing Lists + + All of these articles are normally archived for FTP access on + pit-manager.mit.edu in /pub/usenet/news.announce.newusers. + +11. Suggested Reading + + For further information about the Internet and its protocols in + general, you may choose to obtain copies of the following works: + + Bowers, K., T. LaQuey, J. Reynolds, K. Roubicek, M. Stahl, and A. + Yuan, "Where to Start - A Bibliography of General Internetworking + Information", RFC 1175, FYI 3, CNRI, U Texas, ISI, BBN, SRI, + Mitre, August 1990. + + Comer, D., "Internetworking with TCP/IP: Principles, Protocols, + and Architecture", Prentice Hall, New Jersey, 1989. + + Krol, E., "The Hitchhikers Guide to the Internet", RFC 1118, + University of Illinois Urbana, September 1989. + + + + + + + + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 28] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + +12. References + + [1] Reynolds, J., and J. Postel, "Assigned Numbers", RFC 1060, + USC/Information Sciences Institute, March 1990. + + [2] Postel, J., Editor, "IAB Official Protocol Standards", RFC 1280, + Internet Activities Board, March 1992. + + [3] Postel, J., and J. Reynolds, "File Transfer Protocol (FTP), RFC + 959, USC/Information Sciences Institute, October 1985. + + [4] Postel, J., "Internet Protocol - DARPA Internet Program Protocol + Specification", RFC 791, DARPA, September 1981. + + [5] Postel, J., "Transmission Control Protocol - DARPA Internet + Program Protocol Specification", RFC 793, DARPA, September 1981. + + [6] Leiner, B., R. Cole, J. Postel, and D. Mills, "The DARPA Internet + Protocol Suite", IEEE INFOCOM85, Washington D.C., March 1985. + Also in IEEE Communications Magazine, March 1985. Also as + ISI/RS-85-153. + + [7] Cerf, V., "The Internet Activities Board" RFC 1160, CNRI, May + 1990. + + [8] Postel, J., "Simple Mail Transfer Protocol", RFC 821, + USC/Information Sciences Institute, August 1982. + + [9] Postel, J., and J. Reynolds, "TELNET Protocol Specification", RFC + 854, USC/Information Sciences Institute, May 1983. + + [10] Postel, J., "Request for Comments on Request for Comments - + Instructions to RFC Authors", RFC 1111, USC/Information Sciences + Institute, August 1989. + + [11] Malkin, G., A. Marine, and J. Reynolds, "FYI on Questions and + Answers: Answers to Commonly Asked 'Experienced Internet User' + Questions", FYI 7, RFC 1207, FTP Software, SRI, USC/Information + Sciences Institute, February 1991. + + [12] Postel, J., "Introduction to the STD Notes", RFC 1311, + USC/Information Sciences Institute, March 1992. + + + + + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 29] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + +13. Condensed Glossary + + As with any profession, computers have a particular terminology all + their own. Below is a condensed glossary to assist in making some + sense of the Internet world. + + ACM Association for Computing Machinery + A group established in 1947 to promote professional + development and research on computers. + + address There are two separate uses of this term in internet + networking: "electronic mail address" and "internet + address". An electronic mail address is the string + of characters that you must give an electronic mail + program to direct a message to a particular person. + See "internet address" for its definition. + + AI Artificial Intelligence + The branch of computer science which deals with the + simulation of human intelligence by computer systems. + + AIX Advanced Interactive Executive + IBM's version of Unix. + + ANSI American National Standards Institute + A group that certifies organizations which develop U.S. + standards for the information processing industry. ANSI + accredited groups participate in defining network protocol + standards. + + ARP Address Resolution Protocol + An Internet protocol which runs on Ethernet and all IEEE + 802.X LANs which maps internet addresses to MAC addresses. + + ARPA Advanced Research Projects Agency + The former name of what is now called DARPA. + + ARPANET Advanced Research Projects Agency Network + A pioneering long haul network funded by ARPA. It + served as the basis for early networking research as + well as a central backbone during the development of + the Internet. The ARPANET consisted of individual + packet switching computers interconnected by leased lines. + + AS Autonomous System + A collection of gateways (routers) under a single + administrative authority using a common Interior Gateway + Protocol for routing packets. + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 30] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + ASCII American (National) Standard Code for Information Interchange + + + B Byte + One character of information, usually eight bits wide. + + b bit - binary digit + The smallest amount of information which may be stored + in a computer. + + BBN Bolt Beranek and Newman, Inc. + The Cambridge, MA company responsible for development, + operation and monitoring of the ARPANET, and later, + the Internet core gateway system, the CSNET Coordination + and Information Center (CIC), and NSFNET Network + Service Center (NNSC). + + BITNET Because It's Time Network + BITNET has about 2,500 host computers, primarily at + universities, in many countries. It is managed by + EDUCOM, which provides administrative support and + information services. There are three + main constituents of the network: BITNET in the United + States and Mexico, NETNORTH in Canada, and EARN in + Europe. There are also AsiaNet, in Japan, and + connections in South America. See CREN. + + bps bits per second + A measure of data transmission speed. + + BSD Berkeley Software Distribution + Term used when describing different versions + of the Berkeley UNIX software, as in "4.3BSD + UNIX". + + + catenet A network in which hosts are connected to networks + with varying characteristics, and the networks + are interconnected by gateways (routers). The + Internet is an example of a catenet. + + CCITT International Telegraph and Telephone + Consultative Committee + + core gateway + Historically, one of a set of gateways (routers) + operated by the Internet Network Operations Center + at BBN. The core gateway system forms a central part + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 31] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + of Internet routing in that all groups had to advertise + paths to their networks from a core gateway. + + CREN The Corporation for Research and Educational Networking + BITNET and CSNET have recently merged to form CREN. + + CSNET Computer + Science Network + A large data communications network for institutions doing + research in computer science. It uses several different + protocols including some of its own. CSNET sites include + universities, research laboratories, and commercial + companies. See CREN. + + + DARPA U.S. Department of Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency + The government agency that funded the ARPANET and later + started the Internet. + + Datagram + A self-contained, independent entity of data carrying + sufficient information to be routed from the source + to the destination data terminal equipment without + reliance on earlier exchanges between this source + and destination data terminal equipment and the + transporting network. + + DCA Defense Communications Agency + Former name of the Defense Information Systems Agency + (DISA). See DISA. + + DDN Defense Data Network + Comprises the MILNET and several other DoD networks. + + DDN NIC The network information center at Network Solutions, Inc. + It is the primary repository for RFCs and Internet Drafts, + as well as providing other services. + + DEC Digital Equipment Corporation + + DECnet Digital Equipment Corporation network + A networking protocol for DEC computers and network devices. + + default route + A routing table entry which is used to direct any data + addressed to any network numbers not explicitly listed + in the routing table. + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 32] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + DISA Defense Information Systems Agency + Formerly called DCA, this is the government agency + responsible for installing the Defense Data Network + (DDN) portion of the Internet, including the MILNET + lines and nodes. Currently, DISA administers the + DDN, and supports the user assistance services of the + DDN NIC. + + DNS The Domain Name System is a mechanism used in + the Internet for translating names of host computers + into addresses. The DNS also allows host computers + not directly on the Internet to have registered + names in the same style, but returns the electronic + mail gateway which accesses the non-Internet network + instead of an IP address. + + DOD U.S. Department of Defense + + DOE U.S. Department of Energy + + dot address (dotted address notation) + Dot address refers to the common notation for Internet + addresses of the form A.B.C.D; where each letter represents, + in decimal, one byte of the four byte IP address. + + Dynamic Adaptive Routing + Automatic rerouting of traffic based on a sensing and analysis + of current actual network conditions. NOTE: this does not + include cases of routing decisions taken on predefined + information. + + + EARN European Academic Research Network + + EBCDIC Extended Binary-coded Decimal Interchange Code + + EGP Exterior Gateway Protocol + A protocol which distributes routing information to the + gateways (routers) which connect autonomous systems. + + Ethernet + A network standard for the hardware and data link levels. + There are two types of Ethernet: Digital/Intel/Xerox (DIX) + and IEEE 802.3. + + + FDDI Fiber Distributed Data Interface + FDDI is a high-speed (100Mb) token ring LAN. + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 33] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + FIPS Federal Information Processing Standard + + FTP File Transfer Protocol + The Internet standard high-level protocol for + transferring files from one computer to another. + + + gateway See router + + GB Gigabyte + A unit of data storage size which represents 10^9 (one + billion) characters of information. + + Gb Gigabit + 10^9 bits of information (usually used to express a + data transfer rate; as in, 1 gigabit/second = 1Gbps). + + GNU Gnu's Not UNIX + A UNIX-compatible operating system developed by the + Free Software Foundation. + + + header The portion of a packet, preceding the actual data, + containing source and destination addresses and + error-checking fields. + + host number + The part of an internet address that designates which + node on the (sub)network is being addressed. + + HP Hewlett-Packard + + + I/O Input/Output + + IAB Internet Activities Board + The IAB is the coordinating committee for Internet + design, engineering and management. + + IBM International Business Machines Corporation + + ICMP Internet Control Message Protocol + ICMP is an extension to the Internet Protocol. It + allows for the generation of error messages, + test packets and informational messages related to IP. + + IEEE Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 34] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + IETF Internet Engineering Task Force + The IETF is a large open community of network designers, + operators, vendors, and researchers whose purpose is to + coordinate the operation, management and evolution of + the Internet, and to resolve short- and mid-range + protocol and architectural issues. It is a major source + of proposed protocol standards which are submitted to the + Internet Activities Board for final approval. The IETF + meets three times a year and extensive minutes of the + plenary proceedings are issued. + + internet + internetwork + Any connection of two or more local or wide-area networks. + + Internet + The global collection of interconnected local, mid-level and + wide-area networks which use IP as the network layer + protocol. + + internet address + An assigned number which identifies a host in an internet. + It has two or three parts: network number, optional subnet + number, and host number. + + IP Internet Protocol + The network layer protocol for the Internet. It is a packet + switching, datagram protocol defined in RFC 791. + + IRTF Internet Research Task Force + The IRTF is a community of network researchers, + generally with an Internet focus. The work of the IRTF + is governed by its Internet Research Steering Group (IRSG). + + ISO International Organization for Standardization + + + KB Kilobyte + A unit of data storage size which represents 10^3 + (one thousand) characters of information. + + Kb Kilobit + 10^3 bits of information (usually used to express a + data transfer rate; as in, 1 kilobit/second = 1Kbps = 1Kb). + + + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 35] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + LAN Local Area Network + A network that takes advantage of the proximity of computers + to offer relatively efficient, higher speed communications + than long-haul or wide-area networks. + + LISP List Processing Language + A high-level computer language invented by Professor John + McCarthy in 1961 to support research into computer based + logic, logical reasoning, and artificial intelligence. It + was the first symbolic (as opposed to numeric) computer + processing language. + + + MAC Medium Access Control + For broadcast networks, it is the method which devices use + to determine which device has line access at any given + time. + + Mac Apple Macintosh computer. + + MAN Metropolitan Area Network + + MB Megabyte + A unit of data storage size which represents + 10^6 (one million) characters of information. + + Mb Megabit + 10^6 bits of information (usually used to express a + data transfer rate; as in, 1 megabit/second = 1Mbps). + + MILNET Military Network + A network used for unclassified military production + applications. It is part of the DDN and the Internet. + + MIT Massachusetts Institute of Technology + + MTTF Mean Time to Failure + The average time between hardware breakdown or loss of + service. This may be an empirical measurement or a + calculation based on the MTTF of component parts. + + MTTR Mean Time to Recovery (or Repair) + The average time it takes to restore service after a + breakdown or loss. This is usually an empirical measurement. + + MVS Multiple Virtual Storage + An IBM operating system based on OS/1. + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 36] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + NASA National Aeronautics and Space Administration + + NBS National Bureau of Standards + Now called NIST. + + network number + The part of an internet address which designates the + network to which the addressed node belongs. + + NFS Network File System + A network service that lets a program running on one + computer to use data stored on a different computer on + the same internet as if it were on its own disk. + + NIC Network Information Center + An organization which provides network users with + information about services provided by the network. + + NOC Network Operations Center + An organization that is responsible for maintaining + a network. + + NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology + Formerly NBS. + + NSF National Science Foundation + + NSFNET National Science Foundation Network + The NSFNET is a highspeed "network of networks" which is + hierarchical in nature. At the highest level is a + backbone network currently comprising 16 nodes connected + to a 45Mbps facility which spans the continental United + States. Attached to that are mid-level networks and + attached to the mid-levels are campus and local + networks. NSFNET also has connections out of the U.S. + to Canada, Mexico, Europe, and the Pacific Rim. The + NSFNET is part of the Internet. + + NSFNET Mid-level Level Network + A network connected to the highest level of the NSFNET that + covers a region of the United States. It is to mid-level + networks that local sites connect. The mid-level networks + were once called "regionals". + + OSI Open Systems Interconnection + A set of protocols designed to be an international standard + method for connecting unlike computers and networks. Europe + has done most of the work developing OSI and will probably + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 37] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + use it as soon as possible. + + OSI Reference Model + An "outline" of OSI which defines its seven layers and + their functions. Sometimes used to help describe other + networks. + + OSPF Open Shortest-Path First Interior Gateway Protocol + A proposed replacement for RIP. It addresses some + problems of RIP and is based upon principles that have + been well-tested in non-internet protocols. Originally + acronymed as OSPFIGP. + + + packet The unit of data sent across a packet switching network. + The term is used loosely. While some Internet + literature uses it to refer specifically to data sent + across a physical network, other literature views + the Internet as a packet switching network + and describes IP datagrams as packets. + + PC Personal Computer + + PCNFS Personal Computer Network File System + + PPP Point-to-Point Protocol + The Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) provides a method for + transmitting datagrams over serial point-to-point links. + + protocol + A formal description of message formats and the rules + two computers must follow to exchange those messages. + Protocols can describe low-level details of + machine-to-machine interfaces (e.g., the order in + which bits and bytes are sent across a wire) + or high-level exchanges between allocation + programs (e.g., the way in which two programs + transfer a file across the Internet). + + + RFC The Internet's Request for Comments documents series + The RFCs are working notes of the Internet research and + development community. A document in this series may be on + essentially any topic related to computer communication, and + may be anything from a meeting report to the specification of + a standard. + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 38] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + RIP Routing Information Protocol + One protocol which may be used on internets simply to pass + routing information between gateways. It is used on many + LANs and on some of the NSFNET intermediate level networks. + + RJE Remote Job Entry + The general protocol for submitting batch jobs and + retrieving the results. + + router A special-purpose dedicated computer that attaches to + two or more networks and routes packets from one + network to the other. In particular, an Internet + router forwards IP datagrams among the networks it + connects. Gateways route packets to other + gateways until they can be delivered to the final + destination directly across one physical network. + + RPC Remote Procedure Call + An easy and popular paradigm for implementing the + client-server model of distributed computing. + + + server A computer that shares its resources, such as printers + and files, with other computers on the network. An + example of this is a Network Files System (NFS) + Server which shares its disk space with one or more + workstations that may not have local disk drives of + their own. + + SLIP Serial Line Internet Protocol + SLIP is currently a defacto standard, commonly used for + point-to-point serial connections running TCP/IP. It is + not an Internet standard but is defined in RFC 1055. + + SMTP Simple Mail Transfer Protocol + The Internet standard protocol for transferring + electronic mail messages from one computer to another. + SMTP specifies how two mail systems interact and the + format of control messages they exchange to transfer mail. + + SNA System Network Architecture + IBM's data communications protocol. + + SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol + The Simple Network Management Protocol (RFC 1157) is the + Internet's standard for remote monitoring and management + of hosts, routers and other nodes and devices on a network. + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 39] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + subnet A portion of a network, which may be a physically independent + network, which shares a network address with other portions + of the network and is distinguished by a subnet number. A + subnet is to a network what a network is to an internet. + + subnet number + A part of the internet address which designates a subnet. + It is ignored for the purposes internet routing, but is + used for intranet routing. + + + T1 A term for a digital carrier facility used to transmit a + DS-1 formatted digital signal at 1.544 megabits per second. + + T3 A term for a digital carrier facility used to transmit a DS-3 + formatted digital signal at 44.746 megabits per second. + + TCP Transmission Control Protocol + A transport layer protocol for the Internet. It is a + connection oriented, stream protocol defined by RFC 793. + + TCP/IP Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol + This is a common shorthand which refers to the suite + of application and transport protocols which run over IP. + These include FTP, TELNET, SMTP, and UDP (a transport + layer protocol). + + Telenet A public packet-switching network operated by US Sprint. + Also known as "SprintNet". + + TELNET The Internet standard protocol for remote terminal + connection service. TELNET allows a user at one site + to interact with a remote timesharing system at + another site as if the user's terminal was connected + directly to the remote computer. + + Token Ring + A type of LAN. Examples are IEEE 802.5, ProNET-10/80 and + FDDI. The term "token ring" is often used to denote 802.5 + + Tymnet A public character-switching/packet-switching network + operated by British Telecom. + + + UDP User Datagram Protocol + A transport layer protocol for the Internet. It is a + datagram protocol which adds a level of reliability and + multiplexing to IP datagrams. It is defined in RFC 768. + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 40] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + + ULTRIX UNIX-based operating system for Digital Equipment Corporation + computers. + + UNIX An operating system developed by Bell Laboratories that + supports multiuser and multitasking operations. + + UUCP UNIX-to-UNIX Copy Program + A protocol used for communication between consenting + UNIX systems. + + + VMS Virtual Memory System + A Digital Equipment Corporation operating system. + + + WAN Wide Area Network + + WHOIS An Internet program which allows users to query a database of + people and other Internet entities, such as domains, + networks, and hosts, kept at the DDN NIC. The information for + people shows a person's company name, address, phone number + and email address. + + + XNS Xerox Network System + A data communications protocol suite developed by Xerox. It + uses Ethernet to move the data between computers. + + X.25 A data communications interface specification developed to + describe how data passes into and out of public data + communications networks. The public networks such as + Sprintnet and Tymnet use X.25 to interface to customer + computers. + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 41] + +RFC 1325 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users May 1992 + + +14. Security Considerations + + Security issues are not discussed in this memo. + +15. Authors' Addresses + + Gary Scott Malkin + Xylogics, Inc. + 53 Third Avenue + Burlington, MA 01803 + + Phone: (617) 272-8140 + EMail: gmalkin@Xylogics.COM + + + April N. Marine + SRI International + Network Information Systems Center + 333 Ravenswood Avenue, EJ294 + Menlo Park, CA 94025 + + Phone: (415) 859-5318 + EMail: april@nisc.sri.com + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 42] +
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