SMTP on X.25

Network Working Group                                         R. Ullmann
Request for Comments: 1090                          Prime Computer, Inc.
                                                           February 1989


                              SMTP on X.25

1. Status of this Memo

   This memo proposes a standard for SMTP on the virtual circuit
   facility provided by the X.25 standard of the CCITT.

   Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

2. Introduction

   The possibility of using the X.25 virtual circuit (ISO level 3)
   directly for SMTP is mentioned in RFC 821 ("SIMPLE MAIL TRANSPORT
   PROTOCOL"), in appendix D.  It suggests that "a reliable end-to-end
   protocol such as TCP be used on top of X.25 connections".  This was
   undoubtedly true considering the general reliability of the PSDNs at
   the time (1981).  The service is now (in 1989) reliable enough to
   allow practical direct use of the virtual circuit service.

   The procedures given here have proven to be successful in extensive
   production use, involving 24 PSDNs in 22 different countries.  The
   resulting service is economical even using some of the more expensive
   PSDNs.  Operation over private X.25 connections and X.25 LANs has
   also proven successful.

   An X.25 virtual circuit (VC) is opened for each SMTP session.  The
   full duplex channel provided by the VC is used for the session.  The
   VC is then closed, normally by the calling side.

3. Protocol ID and Call User Data

   The first four octets (bytes) of the Call User Data Field, which are
   commonly used as a protocol identifier, or PRID, should be (hex)
   C0F70000.  (In decimal, 192 247 0 0.)

   Implementations should, however, provide the ability to configure the
   call user data on a per-address basis, including the protocol ID
   field.

4. Data stream

   The SMTP data is divided into (streamed into) packets in any way the
   sending side prefers.  Sequences with the M bit (more data) set are
   encouraged, and may be up to 2048 bytes in total length.

   It is recommended that SMTP commands and responses be sent as single
   packets, or single more-data sequences, if only to facilitate
   debugging the protocol.  This is not a requirement.

5. Qualified data

   Packets with the Q bit set and interrupt packets are not used, and
   should be ignored if received.

6. Circuit resets

   If a level 3 circuit reset is received, the VC should be cleared, and
   the SMTP connection attempted again.  The retry may be after some
   delay, and may be with different call facilities.

7. Call facilities

   Any negotiable features selected by the X.25 call request facilities
   field may be used.  Implementations should provide the ability to
   specify facilities for each called address.

8. Character code

   The character code used on X.25 is the full ASCII-8 code, with no
   escapes or modifications.  Lines are terminated by CRLF (13 10
   decimal).  Implementations should, if possible, recognize lines
   terminated only by LF (10 decimal).

9. Closing the connection

   Unlike TCP, X.25 does not provide for synchronous delivery of data in
   transit when a clear request is in progress; any packets in transit
   are discarded when the VC is cleared.  Therefore, on X.25, the SMTP
   session layer is closed by the calling side when the Service Closing
   message is received, either in response to a QUIT command, or because
   the service must shut down.

10. Timeouts

   SMTP does not normally provide for timing out a session.  On X.25,
   the following has proven to be effective:

      10.1. call request

         If a call accept is not received within 100 seconds, or the
         Service Ready message is not received within (another) 120
         seconds, the call should be cleared and retried later.

      10.2. established

         After the protocol session is established, the circuit should
         be cleared if no response is received for 10 minutes.

      10.3. closing

         After the QUIT command is issued, the timeout should be
         shortened to 20 seconds.  This will sometimes cause an
         ungraceful exit, but this will not affect the SMTP transactions
         already completed.

      10.4. clearing

         When the X.25 Clear Request packet has been sent, the VC should
         be timed out in accordance with the X.25 protocol
         specification.

      11. Other features

         Other features of X.25, such as permanent virtual circuits and
         D bit selection, are not used.

References

     [1]  Postel, J., "Simple Mail Transfer Protocol", RFC 821, USC
          Information Sciences Institute, August 1982.

     [2]  CCITT Recommendation X.25, "Interface Between Data
          Terminal Equipment (DTE) and Data Circuit-Terminating
          Equipment (DCE) for Terminals Operating in the Packet
          Mode and Connected to Public Data Networks by Dedicated
          Circuit", International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative
          Committee, Fascicle VIII.3, Geneva, 1976; amended at
          Geneva, 1980 and Malaga-Torremolinos, 1984. ("Red Book")

Author's Address

   Robert Ullmann 23A-32
   Prime Computer, Inc.
   Technology Drive
   Milford, MA 01757

   Phone: +1 508 478 8600 x1736

   Email: Ariel@Relay.Prime.COM