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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/rfc1425.txt | |
parent | ea76e11061bda059ae9f9ad130a9895cc85607db (diff) |
doc: Add RFC documents
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diff --git a/doc/rfc/rfc1425.txt b/doc/rfc/rfc1425.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a118265 --- /dev/null +++ b/doc/rfc/rfc1425.txt @@ -0,0 +1,563 @@ + + + + + + +Network Working Group J. Klensin, WG Chair +Request for Comments: 1425 United Nations University + N. Freed, Editor + Innosoft International, Inc. + M. Rose + Dover Beach Consulting, Inc. + E. Stefferud + Network Management Associates, Inc. + D. Crocker + The Branch Office + February 1993 + + + SMTP Service Extensions + +Status of this Memo + + This RFC specifies an IAB standards track protocol for the Internet + community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements. + Please refer to the current edition of the "IAB Official Protocol + Standards" for the standardization state and status of this protocol. + Distribution of this memo is unlimited. + +1. Abstract + + This memo defines a framework for extending the SMTP service by + defining a means whereby a server SMTP can inform a client SMTP as to + the service extensions it supports. Standard extensions to the SMTP + service are registered with the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority + (IANA). This framework does not require modification of existing + SMTP clients or servers unless the features of the service extensions + are to be requested or provided. + +2. Introduction + + The Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) [1] has provided a stable, + effective basis for the relay function of message transfer agents. + Although a decade old, SMTP has proven remarkably resilient. + Nevertheless, the need for a number of protocol extensions has become + evident. Rather than describing these extensions as separate and + haphazard entities, this document enhances SMTP in a straightforward + fashion that provides a framework in which all future extensions can + be built in a single consistent way. + +3. Framework for SMTP Extensions + + For the purpose of service extensions to SMTP, SMTP relays a mail + object containing an envelope and a content. + + + +Klensin, Freed, Rose, Stefferud & Crocker [Page 1] + +RFC 1425 SMTP Service Extensions February 1993 + + + (1) The SMTP envelope is straightforward, and is sent as a + series of SMTP protocol units: it consists of an + originator address (to which error reports should be + directed); a delivery mode (e.g., deliver to recipient + mailboxes); and, one or more recipient addresses. + + (2) The SMTP content is sent in the SMTP DATA protocol unit + and has two parts: the headers and the body. The headers + form a collection of field/value pairs structured + according to RFC 822 [2], whilst the body, if structured, + is defined according to MIME [3]. The content is textual + in nature, expressed using the US ASCII repertoire (ANSI + X3.4-1986). Although extensions (such as MIME) may relax + this restriction for the content body, the content + headers are always encoded using the US ASCII repertoire. + The algorithm defined in [4] is used to represent header + values outside the US ASCII repertoire, whilst still + encoding them using the US ASCII repertoire. + + Although SMTP is widely and robustly deployed, some parts of the + Internet community might wish to extend the SMTP service. This memo + defines a means whereby both an extended SMTP client and server may + recognize each other as such and the server can inform the client as + to the service extensions that it supports. + + It must be emphasized that any extension to the SMTP service should + not be considered lightly. SMTP's strength comes primarily from its + simplicity. Experience with many protocols has shown that: + + protocols with few options tend towards ubiquity, whilst + protocols with many options tend towards obscurity. + + This means that each and every extension, regardless of its benefits, + must be carefully scrutinized with respect to its implementation, + deployment, and interoperability costs. In many cases, the cost of + extending the SMTP service will likely outweigh the benefit. + + Given this environment, the framework for the extensions described in + this memo consists of: + + (1) a new SMTP command (section 4) + + (2) a registry of SMTP service extensions (section 5) + + (3) additional parameters to the SMTP MAIL FROM and RCPT TO + commands (section 6). + + + + + +Klensin, Freed, Rose, Stefferud & Crocker [Page 2] + +RFC 1425 SMTP Service Extensions February 1993 + + +4. The EHLO command + + A client SMTP supporting SMTP service extensions should start an SMTP + session by issuing the EHLO command instead of the HELO command. If + the SMTP server supports the SMTP service extensions it will give a + successful response (see section 4.1), a failure response (see 4.2), + or an error response (4.3). If the SMTP server does not support any + SMTP service extensions it will generate an error response (see + section 4.4). + + The syntax for this command, using the ABNF notation of [2], is: + + ehlo-cmd ::= "EHLO" SP domain CR LF + + If successful, the server SMTP responds with code 250. On failure, + the server SMTP responds with code 550. On error, the server SMTP + responds with one of codes 500, 501, 502, 504, or 421. + + This command is issued instead of the HELO command, and may be issued + at any time that a HELO command would be appropriate. That is, if + the EHLO command is issued, and a successful response is returned, + then a subsequent HELO or EHLO command will result in the server SMTP + replying with code 503. A client SMTP must not cache any information + returned if the EHLO command succeeds. That is, a client SMTP must + issue the EHLO command at the start of each SMTP session if + information about extended facilities is needed. + +4.1. Successful response + + If the server SMTP implements and is able to perform the EHLO + command, it will return code 250. This indicates that both the + server and client SMTP are in the initial state, that is, there is no + transaction in progress and all state tables and buffers are cleared. + + Normally, this response will be a multiline reply. Each line of the + response contains a keyword and, optionally, one or more parameters. + The syntax for a positive response, using the ABNF notation of [2], + is: + + + + + + + + + + + + + +Klensin, Freed, Rose, Stefferud & Crocker [Page 3] + +RFC 1425 SMTP Service Extensions February 1993 + + + ehlo-ok-rsp ::= "250" domain [ SP greeting ] CR LF + / ( "250-" domain [ SP greeting ] CR LF + *( "250-" ehlo-line CR LF ) + "250" SP ehlo-line CR LF ) + + ; the usual HELO chit-chat + greeting ::= 1*<any character other than CR or LF> + + ehlo-line ::= ehlo-keyword *( SP ehlo-param ) + + ehlo-keyword ::= (ALPHA / DIGIT) *(ALPHA / DIGIT / "-") + + ; syntax and values depend on ehlo-keyword + ehlo-param ::= 1*<any CHAR excluding SP and all + control characters (US ASCII 0-31 + inclusive)> + + ALPHA ::= <any one of the 52 alphabetic characters + (A through Z in upper case, and, + a through z in lower case)> + + DIGIT ::= <any one of the 10 numeric characters + (0 through 9)> + + CR ::= <the carriage-return character + (ASCII decimal code 13)> + LF ::= <the line-feed character + (ASCII decimal code 10)> + SP ::= <the space character + (ASCII decimal code 32)> + + Although EHLO keywords may be specified in upper, lower, or mixed + case, they must always be recognized and processed in a case- + insensitive manner. This is simply an extension of practices begun in + RFC 821. + + The IANA maintains a registry of standard SMTP service extensions. + Associated with each such extension is a corresponding EHLO keyword + value. Each service extension registered with the IANA is defined by + a standards-track RFC, and such a definition includes: + + (1) the textual name of the SMTP service extension; + + (2) the EHLO keyword value associated with the extension; + + (3) the syntax and possible values of parameters associated + with the EHLO keyword value; + + + + +Klensin, Freed, Rose, Stefferud & Crocker [Page 4] + +RFC 1425 SMTP Service Extensions February 1993 + + + (4) any additional SMTP verbs associated with the extension + (additional verbs will usually be, but are not required + to be, the same as the EHLO keyword value); + + (5) any new parameters the extension associates with the MAIL + FROM or RCPT TO verbs; and, + + (6) how support for the extension affects the behavior of a + server and client SMTP. + + In addition, any EHLO keyword value that starts with an upper or + lower case "X" refers to a local SMTP service extension, which is + used through bilateral, rather than standardized, agreement. Keywords + beginning with "X" may not be used in a registered service extension. + + Any keyword values presented in the EHLO response that do not begin + with "X" must correspond to an SMTP service extension registered with + IANA. A conforming server must not offer non "X" prefixed keyword + values that are not described in a registered extension. + + Additional verbs are bound by the same rules as EHLO keywords; + specifically, verbs begining with "X" are local extensions that may + not be standardized and verbs not beginning with "X" must always be + registered. + +4.2. Failure response + + If for some reason the server SMTP is unable to list the service + extensions it supports, it will return code 554. + + In the case of a failure response, the client SMTP should issue + either the HELO or QUIT command. + +4.3. Error responses from extended servers + + If the server SMTP recognizes the EHLO command, but the command + argument is unacceptable, it will return code 501. + + If the server SMTP recognizes, but does not implement, the EHLO + command, it will return code 502. + + If the server SMTP determines that the SMTP service is no longer + available (e.g., due to imminent system shutdown), it will return + code 421. + + In the case of any error response, the client SMTP should issue + either the HELO or QUIT command. + + + + +Klensin, Freed, Rose, Stefferud & Crocker [Page 5] + +RFC 1425 SMTP Service Extensions February 1993 + + +4.4. Responses from servers without extensions + + A server SMTP that conforms to RFC 821 but does not support the + extensions specified here will not recognize the EHLO command and + will consequently return code 500, as specified in RFC 821. + +5. Initial IANA Registry + + The IANA's initial registry of SMTP service extensions consists of + these entries: + + Service Ext EHLO Keyword Parameters Verb Added Behavior + ------------- ------------ ---------- ---------- ------------------ + Send SEND none SEND defined in RFC 821 + Send or Mail SOML none SOML defined in RFC 821 + Send and Mail SAML none SAML defined in RFC 821 + Expand EXPN none EXPN defined in RFC 821 + Help HELP none HELP defined in RFC 821 + Turn TURN none TURN defined in RFC 821 + + which correspond to those SMTP commands which are defined as optional + in [5]. (The mandatory SMTP commands, according to [5], are HELO, + MAIL, RCPT, DATA, RSET, VRFY, NOOP, and QUIT.) + +6. MAIL FROM and RCPT TO Parameters + + It is recognized that several of the extensions planned for SMTP will + make use of additional parameters associated with the MAIL FROM and + RCPT TO command. The syntax for these commands, again using the ABNF + notation of [2] as well as underlying definitions from [1], is: + + esmtp-cmd ::= inner-esmtp-cmd [SP esmtp-parameters] CR LF + esmtp-parameters ::= esmtp-parameter *(SP esmtp-parameter) + esmtp-parameter ::= esmtp-keyword ["=" esmtp-value] + esmtp-keyword ::= (ALPHA / DIGIT) *(ALPHA / DIGIT / "-") + + ; syntax and values depend on esmtp-keyword + esmtp-value ::= 1*<any CHAR excluding "=", SP, and all + control characters (US ASCII 0-31 + inclusive)> + + ; The following commands are extended to + ; accept extended parameters. + inner-esmtp-cmd ::= ("MAIL FROM:<" reverse-path ">") / + ("RCPT TO:<" forward-path ">") + + All esmtp-keyword values must be registered as part of the IANA + registration process described above. This definition only provides + + + +Klensin, Freed, Rose, Stefferud & Crocker [Page 6] + +RFC 1425 SMTP Service Extensions February 1993 + + + the framework for future extension; no extended MAIL FROM or RCPT TO + parameters are defined by this RFC. + +6.1. Error responses + + If the server SMTP does not recognize or cannot implement one or more + of the parameters associated with a particular MAIL FROM or RCPT TO + command, it will return code 555. + + If for some reason the server is temporarily unable to accomodate one + or more of the parameters associated with a MAIL FROM or RCPT TO + command, and if the definition of the specific parameter does not + mandate the use of another code, it should return code 455. + + Errors specific to particular parameters and their values will be + specified in the parameter's defining RFC. + +7. Received: Header Field Annotation + + SMTP servers are required to add an appropriate Received: field to + the headers of all messages they receive. A "with ESMTP" clause + should be added to this field when any SMTP service extensions are + used. "ESMTP" is hereby added to the list of standard protocol names + registered with IANA. + +8. Usage Examples + + (1) An interaction of the form: + + S: <wait for connection on TCP port 25> + C: <open connection to server> + S: 220 dbc.mtview.ca.us SMTP service ready + C: EHLO ymir.claremont.edu + S: 250 dbc.mtview.ca.us says hello + ... + + indicates that the server SMTP implements only those SMTP + commands which are defined as mandatory in [5]. + + (2) In contrast, an interaction of the form: + + S: <wait for connection on TCP port 25> + C: <open connection to server> + S: 220 dbc.mtview.ca.us SMTP service ready + C: EHLO ymir.claremont.edu + S: 250-dbc.mtview.ca.us says hello + S: 250-EXPN + S: 250-HELP + + + +Klensin, Freed, Rose, Stefferud & Crocker [Page 7] + +RFC 1425 SMTP Service Extensions February 1993 + + + S: 250-8BITMIME + S: 250-XONE + S: 250 XVRB + ... + + indicates that the server SMTP also implements the SMTP + EXPN and HELP commands, one standard service extension + (8BITMIME), and two non-standard service extensions (XONE + and XVRB). + + (3) Finally, a server that does not support SMTP service + extensions would act as follows: + + S: <wait for connection on TCP port 25> + C: <open connection to server> + S: 220 dbc.mtview.ca.us SMTP service ready + C: EHLO ymir.claremont.edu + S: 500 Command not recognized: EHLO + ... + + The 500 response indicates that the server SMTP does not + implement the extensions specified here. The client + would normally send RSET to reset the connection, and, + after getting a successful reply, send a HELO command and + proceed as specified in RFC 821. + +9. Security Considerations + + This RFC does not discuss security issues and is not believed to + raise any security issues not already endemic in electronic mail and + present in fully conforming implementations of RFC-821. It does + provide an announcement of server mail capabilities via the response + to the EHLO verb. However, all information provided by announcement + of any of the initial set of service extensions defined by this RFC + can be readily deduced by selective probing of the verbs required to + transport and deliver mail. The security implications of service + extensions described in other RFCs should be dealt with in those + RFCs. + +10. Acknowledgements + + This document represents a synthesis of the ideas of many people and + reactions to the ideas and proposals of others. Randall Atkinson, + Craig Everhart, Risto Kankkunen, and Greg Vaudreuil contributed ideas + and text sufficient to be considered co-authors. Other important + suggestions, text, or encouragement came from Harald Alvestrand, Jim + Conklin, Mark Crispin, Frank da Cruz, 'Olafur Gudmundsson, Per + Hedeland, Christian Huitma, Neil Katin, Eliot Lear, Harold A. + + + +Klensin, Freed, Rose, Stefferud & Crocker [Page 8] + +RFC 1425 SMTP Service Extensions February 1993 + + + Miller, Dan Oscarsson, Julian Onions, Rayan Zachariassen, and the + contributions of the entire IETF SMTP Working Group. Of course, none + of the individuals are necessarily responsible for the combination of + ideas represented here. Indeed, in some cases, the response to a + particular criticism was to accept the problem identification but to + include an entirely different solution from the one originally + proposed. + +11. References + + [1] Postel, J., "Simple Mail Transfer Protocol", STD 10, RFC 821, + USC/Information Sciences Institute, August 1982. + + [2] Crocker, D., "Standard for the Format of ARPA Internet Text + Messages", STD 11, RFC 822, UDEL, August 1982. + + [3] Borenstein, N., and N. Freed, "Multipurpose Internet Mail + Extensions", RFC 1341, Bellcore, Innosoft, June 1992. + + [4] Moore, K., "Representation of Non-ASCII Text in Internet Message + Headers", RFC 1342, University of Tennessee, June 1992. + + [5] Braden, R., "Requirements for Internet Hosts - Application and + Support", STD 3, RFC 1123, USC/Information Sciences Institute, + October 1989. + +12. Chair, Editor, and Authors' Addresses + + John Klensin, WG Chair + United Nations University + PO Box 500, Charles Street Station + Boston, MA 02114-0500 USA + + Phone: +1 617 227 8747 + Fax: +1 617 491 6266 + Email: klensin@infoods.unu.edu + + + Ned Freed, Editor + Innosoft International, Inc. + 250 West First Street, Suite 240 + Claremont, CA 91711 USA + + Phone: +1 909 624 7907 + Fax: +1 909 621 5319 + Email: ned@innosoft.com + + + + + +Klensin, Freed, Rose, Stefferud & Crocker [Page 9] + +RFC 1425 SMTP Service Extensions February 1993 + + + Marshall T. Rose + Dover Beach Consulting, Inc. + 420 Whisman Court + Moutain View, CA 94043-2186 USA + + Phone: +1 415 968 1052 + Fax: +1 415 968 2510 + Email: mrose@dbc.mtview.ca.us + + + Einar A. Stefferud + Network Management Associates, Inc. + 17301 Drey Lane + Huntington Beach, CA, 92647-5615 USA + + Phone: +1 714 842 3711 + Fax: +1 714 848 2091 + Email: stef@nma.com + + + David H. Crocker + The Branch Office + USA + + Email: dcrocker@mordor.stanford.edu + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +Klensin, Freed, Rose, Stefferud & Crocker [Page 10] +
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