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diff --git a/doc/rfc/rfc278.txt b/doc/rfc/rfc278.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..f50142c --- /dev/null +++ b/doc/rfc/rfc278.txt @@ -0,0 +1,222 @@ + + + + + + +NWG/RFC# 278 RWW 17-NOV-71 14:12 8056 +Revision of the Mail Box Protocol + +NETWORK WORKING GROUP Abhay Bhushan, MIT-DMCG +Request for Comments #278 Bob Braden, UCLA-CCN +NIC 8056 Eric Harslem, RAND +Categories: A.5, O.7 John Heafner, RAND +Obsoletes RFC 221, NIC 7612 Alex McKenzie, BBN-NET + John Melvin, SRI-ARC + Bob Sundberg, HARV + Dick Watson, SRI-ARC + Jim White, UCSB + 17-Nov-1971 + + REVISION OF THE MAIL BOX PROTOCOL + + The file transfer committee met and discussed the Mail Box Protocol + RFC 221, NIC 7612. The potential utility for the mechanism was + confirmed and a couple of changes suggested. We first give the + changes and then restate the Protocol. + + CHANGES + + 1) The Mail Box Protocol is only to allow ASCII stings of text + formatted for a network standard line printer rather than allowing + other data types. + + 2) A new command is to be added to the File Transfer Protocol called + "Append With Create" which appends to a file if the file exists, and + creates a file if it does not exist. + + 3) The standard path name for the mailbox is to be, using conventional + metalanguage symbols, + + "MAIL" <separator> ("PRINTER"/<ident>) + + <separator> is the ASCII GS, octal 035. The semantics of + the above are the following: + + <ident> is a NIC IDENT + + "MAIL" <separator> "PRINTER" would be interpreted by the + receiving site as meaning Append With Create the + transmitted file to a bulk mail file to be printed or + directly output it to a printer. + + "MAIL" <separator> <ident> would be interpreted to mean + either + + + + + [Page 1] + +NWG/RFC# 278 RWW 17-NOV-71 14:12 8056 +Revision of the Mail Box Protocol + + 1) The same as "MAIL" <separator> "PRINTER" i.e., ignore + <ident> or + + 2) Append With Create the following file to a file + specifically for the person designated by <ident> for + either online access or printing or both. + + The problem of delivering mail to TIPs was discussed. + + At the moment TIPs support only the Telnet Protocol, but it is planned + to support the Data Transfer Protocol. TIPs will have an ASCII line + printer available as an optional device. People desiring to send a + mail item to a TIP with a printer can open a standard published socket + and transmit to it with Telnet Protocol now, later also with the Data + Transfer Protocol. The NIC's plans with regard to TIPs is not to do + automatic network delivery to them. Messages to people using TIPs can + be sent to them through the NIC and will be delivered as with everyone + else directly to the person's initial file at the NIC. The TIP user + can read the item online or obtain a hardcopy at his terminal with the + Output Device Teletype command of NLS. + + MAIL BOX PROTOCOL + + The Mail Box Protocol will use established network conventions, + specifically the Network Control Program, Initial Connection Protocol, + Data Transfer Protocol, and File Transfer Protocol (as described in + current Network Protocols, NIC 7104). + + The transmission is to be Network ASCII. The standard receiving mail + printer is assumed to have a print line 72 characters wide, and a page + of 66 lines. The new line convention will be carriage return (Hex + per the Telnet Protocol, RFC 158, NIC 6768. The standard printer will + accept form feed character (Hex '0C') (Octal '014') as meaning move + paper to the top of a new page. + + It is the sender's responsibility to control the length of the print + line and page. If more than 72 characters per line are sent, or if + more than 66 line are sent without a form feed, then the receiving + site can handle these situations as appropriate for them. These + conventions can be changed by control codes as described below. At + the head of the message or document sent there is to be two copies of + an initial address string each terminated by a form feed. This + address string is to contain the sender's name and address, and the + + + + + + + [Page 2] + +NWG/RFC# 278 RWW 17-NOV-71 14:12 8056 +Revision of the Mail Box Protocol + + receiver's name and address formatted in some reasonable, easy-to read + form for a clerk to read and distribute. Comments could also be + included in the address string. The requirements for two copies are + to make one readable from a fan fold paper stack without effort. + + Initial Connection + + Initial Connection will be as per the Official Initial Connection + Protocol, Document #2, NIC 7101, to the standard File Transfer socket + #3. + + File Transfer + + The mail item (file) to be transferred would be transferred according + to the File Transfer Protocol. + + As per the File Transfer Protocol, a file (mail item) can be sent in + more than one data transaction as defined in the Data Transfer + Protocol. End of file is indicated by the file separator (as defined + in Data Transfer Protocol) or by closing the connection. + + Order of Transactions + + The only basic operation required is an Append With Create + + Append With Create Request + + (Mailer) User --------------------> Server (Mail Box) + + <File - data> + + --------------------> + + End of File indication + + --------------------> + + Acknowledge + + <-------------------- + + The data type default is network ASCII. The Standard line printer + default is as defined above. Other control transactions can be used. + + CONTROL TRANSACTIONS TO BE USED + + + + + [Page 3] + +NWG/RFC# 278 RWW 17-NOV-71 14:12 8056 +Revision of the Mail Box Protocol + + OP CODE + + Hex Octal + + 09 011 Error or unsuccessful terminate + + 0A 012 Acknowledge or successful terminate + + 05 005 Append With Create request (add to + existing file or create file if + none exists) + + 5A 132 Change printer control settings + + ERROR CODES + + All error codes defined in the file Transfer Protocol could be + returned. + + PRINTER CONTROL CODES + + Hex Octal + + D1 321 Meaning: Set line width to 72 characters + + D2 322 Meaning: Use the full width of your printer + + 03 323 Meaning: Set page size to 66 line + + 04 324 Meaning: Set page size to infinite + + Other virtual printer control codes can be added in the future. + + Other classes of control codes can be added as the need arises. + + + [ This RFC was put into machine readable form for entry ] + [ into the online RFC archives by BBN Corp. under the ] + [ direction of Alex McKenzie. 12/96 ] + + + + + + + + + + + [Page 4] + |