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diff --git a/doc/rfc/rfc1177.txt b/doc/rfc/rfc1177.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..b5a53e6 --- /dev/null +++ b/doc/rfc/rfc1177.txt @@ -0,0 +1,1347 @@ + + + + + + +Network Working Group G. Malkin +Request for Comments: 1177 FTP Software, Inc. +FYI: 4 A. Marine + SRI + J. Reynolds + ISI + August 1990 + + + FYI on Questions and Answers + Answers to Commonly asked "New Internet User" Questions + +Status of this Memo + + This FYI RFC is one of three FYI's called, "Questions and Answers" + (Q/A), produced by the User Services Working Group (USWG) of the + Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). The goal is to document the + most commonly asked questions and answers in the Internet. + + This memo provides information for the Internet community. It does + not specify any standard. Distribution of this memo is unlimited. + +Table of Contents + + 1. Introduction.................................................... 1 + 2. Acknowledgements................................................ 2 + 3. Questions About the Internet.................................... 2 + 4. Questions About TCP/IP.......................................... 3 + 5. Questions About Internet Documentation.......................... 4 + 6. Questions about Internet Organizations and Contacts............. 6 + 7. Questions About Services........................................ 9 + 8. Mailing Lists................................................... 11 + 9. References...................................................... 11 + 10. Suggested Reading.............................................. 12 + 11. Condensed Glossary............................................. 12 + 12. Security Considerations........................................ 23 + 13. Authors' Addresses............................................. 24 + +1. Introduction + + New users joining the Internet community for the first time have had + 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 USWG members become + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 1] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + aware of additional questions that should be included, and of + deficiencies or inaccuracies that should be amended in this document. + Additional FYI Q/A's will be published which will deal with + intermediate and advanced Q/A topics. + + The Q/A mailing lists are maintained by Gary Malkin at FTP.COM. They + are used by a subgroup of the USWG to discuss the Q/A FYIs. They + include: + + quail@ftp.com This is a discussion mailing list. Its + primary use is for pre-release (to the + USWG) review of the Q/A FYIs. + + quail-request@ftp.com This is how you join the quail mailing list. + + quail-box@ftp.com This is where the questions and answers + will be forwarded-and-stored. It is + not necessary to be on the quail mailing + list to forward to the quail-box. + +2. Acknowledgements + + The following people deserve thanks for their help and contributions + to the FYI Q/As: Berlin Moore (PREPNet), Craig Partridge (BBN), + Jon Postel (ISI), Karen Roubicek (BBNST), James Van Bokkelen (FTP + Software, Inc.), John Wobus (Syracuse University), and David Paul + Zimmerman (Rutgers). + +3. Questions About the Internet + + 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, log in, and use its + services interactively. In addition, you can send electronic mail + to users 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 + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 2] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + 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 to 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 + SRI International. The DDN NIC 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). + +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 data-communications protocols + used to tie computers and data-communications equipment into + computer networks. TCP/IP originated for use on a network called + ARPANET, but it is currently used on a large international network + of universities, other research institutions, government + facilities, and some corporations called the Internet. 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 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), the File + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 3] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + Transfer Protocol (FTP), and the Telnet Protocol. 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. + +5. 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, Jon Postel + (POSTEL@ISI.EDU). + + Most RFCs are the descriptions of network protocols or services, + often giving detailed procedures and formats providing the + information necessary for creating implementations. Other RFCs + report on the results of policy studies or summarize the work of + technical committees or workshops. + + While RFCs are not refereed publications, they do receive + technical review from either the task forces, individual technical + 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. + RFCs are distributed online by being stored as public access + files, and a short message is sent to the 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 + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 4] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + 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 can be obtained via FTP from NIC.DDN.MIL, with the pathname + RFC:RFCnnnn.TXT or RFC:RFCnnnn.PS (where "nnnn" refers to the + number of the RFC). Login with FTP, username "anonymous" and + password "guest". The NIC also provides an automatic mail service + for those sites which cannot use FTP. Address the request to + SERVICE@NIC.DDN.MIL and in the subject field of the message + indicate the RFC number, as in "Subject: RFC nnnn" (or "Subject: + RFC nnnn.PS" for PostScript RFCs). + + RFCs can also be obtained via FTP from NIS.NSF.NET. Using FTP, + 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, or to NIC@NIC.DDN.MIL. Unless + specifically noted otherwise on the RFC itself, all RFCs are for + unlimited distribution. + + Which RFCs are Standards? + + See "IAB Official Protocol Standards" (currently, RFC 1140) [2]. + + How do I obtain OSI Standards documents from the Internet? + + 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 + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 5] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + +6. 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 Vint Cerf. 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. + + 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. + + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 6] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + What is the IANA? + + The task of coordinating the use of the parameters of protocols is + delegated by the Internet Activities Board (IAB) to the Internet + Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA). These protocol parameters are + 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. + + Current types of assignments listed in Assigned Numbers and + 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 + Mail Encryption Types + Multicast Addresses + Network Management Parameters + 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 "The NIC"? + + "The NIC" is the Defense Data Network, Network Information Center + (DDN NIC) at SRI International, which is a network information + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 7] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + center which holds a primary repository for RFCs and Internet + drafts. The host name is NIC.DDN.MIL. Shadow copies of the RFCs + and the Internet Drafts are maintained by the NSFnet on + NNSC.NSF.NET and on MERIT.EDU. + + The DDN NIC also provides various user assistance services for DDN + users; contact NIC@NIC.DDN.MIL or call 1-800-235-3155 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. + + 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 SRI International + serves as the IR. + + 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 eight 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. + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 8] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + 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 David Clark. + +7. 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 two largest directories are the + WHOIS database at the DDN NIC and the PSInet White Pages. + Generally, it is still necessary to ask the person for his or her + email address. + + 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 1-800-235-3155. Bug reports can be sent + to BUG-WHOIS@NIC.DDN.MIL and suggestions for improvements to the + program can be sent to SUGGESTIONS@NIC.DDN.MIL. + + 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 either + retrieve this file via anonymous FTP from NIC.DDN.MIL or get it + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 9] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + through electronic mail. To obtain the file via electronic mail, + send a message to SERVICE@NIC.DDN.MIL and put the file name in the + subject line of the message; that is, "Subject: NETINFO USER- + TEMPLATE.TXT". The file will be returned to you overnight. + + 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 INFO@PSI.COM. + + What is Usenet? What is Netnews? + + Usenet and Netnews are common names of a distributed computer + bulletin board system that some computers on the Internet + participate in. It is not strictly an Internet service: many + computers not on the Internet also participate. + + How do I get on Usenet? How do I get Netnews on my computer? + + 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. + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 10] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + 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" and the password is "guest". + +8. Mailing Lists + + What are some good mailing lists or news groups? + + 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 + + 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 + +9. 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 1140, + Internet Activities Board, May 1990. + + [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 + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 11] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + 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. + +10. 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. + +11. 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. + + 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. + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 12] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + ANSI American National Standards Institute + A group that defines U.S. standards for the information + processing industry. ANSI participates in defining + network protocol standards. + + ARP Address Resolution Protocol + An Internet protocol which runs on Ethernets and + Token Rings 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. + + ASCII American 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. + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 13] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + 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 Consultative Committee for + Telegraphy and Telephony. + + 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 + of Internet routing in that all groups must 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 + The unit transmitted between a pair of internet modules. + The Internet Protocol provides for transmitting blocks of + data, called datagrams, from sources to destinations. + The Internet Protocol does not provide a reliable + communication facility. There are no acknowledgements + either end-to-end or hop-by-hop. There is no error + control for data, only a header checksum. There are + no retransmissions. There is no flow control. See IP. + + DCA Defense Communications Agency + The government agency responsible for installation of + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 14] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + the Defense Data Network (DDN), including the ARPANET + and MILNET lines and PSNs. Currently, DCA administers + the DDN, and supports the user assistance and network + registration services of the DDN NIC. + + DDN Defense Data Network + Comprises the MILNET and several other DoD networks. + + DDN NIC The network information center at SRI International. + 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. + + DOD U.S. Department of Defense + + DOE U.S. Department of Energy + + 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. + + + EARN European Academic Research Network + One of three main constituents of BITNET. + + EBCDIC Extended Binary-coded Decimal Interchange Code + + EGP External Gateway Protocol + A protocol which distributes routing information to + the routers and gateways which interconnect networks. + + 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. + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 15] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + FIPS Federal Information Processing Standard + + FTP File Transfer Protocol + The Internet standard high-level protocol for + transferring files from one computer to another. + + + gateway 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 + gateway routes 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. + + GB Gigabyte + A unit of data storage size which represents 2^30 (over + 1 billion) characters of information. + + Gb Gigabit + 2^30 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 + + HYPERchannel + High-speed communications link. + + + I/O Input/Output + + IAB Internet Activities Board + The IAB is the coordinating committee for Internet + design, engineering and management. + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 16] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + IBM International Business Machines Corporation + + IEEE Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers + + 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 regional 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 the + datagram protocol defined by 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 Standards Organization + + + JvNC John von Neumann National Supercomputer Center + + + KB Kilobyte + A unit of data storage size which represents 2^10 + (1024) characters of information. + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 17] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + Kb Kilobit + 2^10 bits of information (usually used to express a + data transfer rate; as in, 1 kilobit/second = 1Kbps = 1Kb). + + KNET Kangaroo Network + Hardware/software product (Spartacus/Fibronics) that enables + IBM mainframes to communicate over networks with the TCP/IP + protocol suite. + + + 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 + + + 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. + + MB Megabyte + A unit of data storage size which represents over + 2^20 (one million) characters of information. + + Mb Megabit + 2^20 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 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 + The average time it takes to restore service after a + breakdown or loss. This is usually an empirical measurement. + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 18] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + MVS Multiple Virtual Storage + An IBM operating system based on OS/1. + + + 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 which is responsible for maintaining + a network. + + NIST National Institute of Standards and Technology + Formerly NBS. + + NSF National Science Foundation + + NSFNET National Science Foundation Network + A high-speed internet that spans the country, and is + intended for research applications. It is made up of + the NSFnet Backbone and the NSFnet regional networks. + It is part of the Internet. + + NSFNET Backbone + A network connecting 13 sites across the continental United + States. It is the central component of NSFnet. + + NSFNET Regional + A network connected to the NSFnet Backbone that covers a + region of the United States. It is to the regionals that + local sites connect. + + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 19] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + NYSERnet + New York State Educational and Research Network + An internet which serves NY educational and research + institutions. It also serves as the NSFnet regional + network for New York State. + + + 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 + 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. + + OSPFIGP Open Shortest-Path First Internet Gateway Protocol + An experimental replacement for RIP. It addresses some + problems of RIP and is based upon principles that have + been well-tested in non-internet protocols. Often referred + to simply as OSPF. + + + 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 + + POSIX Portable Operating System Interface + Operating system based on UNIX. + + 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). + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 20] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + PSC Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center + + PSCNET Pittsburgh Supercomputing Center Network + + + 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. + + RIP Routing Interchange Protocol + One protocol which may be used on internets simply to pass + routing information between gateways. It is used on may + LANs and on some of the NSFnet regional networks. + + RJE Remote Job Entry + The general protocol for submitting batch jobs and + retrieving the results. + + RLOGIN Remote Login + A service on internets very similar to TELNET. RLOGIN was + invented for use between Berkeley Unix systems on the same + LAN at a time when TELNET programs didn't provide all the + services users wanted. Berkeley plans to phase it out. + + 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 a workstations + that does not have a disk drive of its own. + + SESQUINET + Sesquicentennial Network + Texas-based regional network named for their sesquicentennial + celebration + + 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. + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 21] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + SNA System Network Architecture + IBM's data communications protocol. + + 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. + + SURANET Southeastern Universities Research Association Network + An NSFNET regional network. + + + 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. + + 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 packet-switching network operated by McDonnell + Douglas Network Systems Company. + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 22] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + + UDP User Datagram Protocol + A transport layer protocol for the Internet. It is a + datagram protocol which simply adds a level of reliability + to IP datagrams. It is defined by RFC 768. + + 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 + + WESTNET One of the National Science Foundation funded regional + TCP/IP networks that covers the states of Arizona, + Colorado, New Mexico, Utah, and Wyoming. + + 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 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 developed by Xerox. It + uses Ethernet to move the data between computers. + + X.25 A data communications protocol developed to describe how + data passes into and out of public data communications + networks. The public networks such as Telenet and Tymnet, + use X.25 to interface to customer computers. + +12. Security Considerations + + Security issues are not discussed in this memo. + + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 23] + +RFC 1177 FYI Q/A - for New Internet Users August 1990 + + +13. Authors' Addresses + + Gary Scott Malkin + FTP Software, Inc. + 26 Princess Street + Wakefield, MA 01880 + Phone: (617) 246-0900 + EMail: gmalkin@ftp.com + + + April N. Marine + SRI International + Network Information Systems Center + 333 Ravenswood Avenue, EJ294 + Menlo Park, CA 94025 + Phone: (415) 859-5318 + EMail: APRIL@NIC.DDN.MIL + + + Joyce K. Reynolds + USC/Information Sciences Institute + 4676 Admiralty Way + Marina del Rey, CA 90292-6695 + Phone: (213) 822-1511 + EMail: jkrey@isi.edu + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + +User Services Working Group [Page 24] +
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