RFC 591 UNKNOWN INFRASTRUCTURE · SPECIFICATION

Addition to the Very Distant Host specifications

A sentence clarifying how the Very Distant Host specification treats null packets.

RFC EDITOR

Walden, D.C., "Addition to the Very Distant Host specifications", RFC 591, DOI 10.17487/RFC0591, November 1973, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc591>.

BIBTEX

@misc{rfc591,
  series = {Request for Comments},
  number = 591,
  howpublished = {RFC 591},
  publisher = {RFC Editor},
  doi = {10.17487/RFC0591},
  url = {https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc591},
  author = {D.C. Walden},
  title = {{Addition to the Very Distant Host specifications}},
  pagetotal = 1,
  year = 1973,
  month = nov,
}

PUBLISHED: November 1973
AUTHORS: D.C. Walden
STREAM: Legacy
DOI: 10.17487/RFC0591

RFC text

Original text · RFC Editor View on rfc-editor.org ↗

Network Working Group                                   D. Walden
Request for Comments: #591                              BBN-Net
NIC: #20327                                             29 November 1973


            Addition to the Very Distant Host Specification


     It has been brought to my attention that the following sentence
should be added to the Very Distant Host specification in Appendix F of
BBN report 1822, Specifications for the Interconnection of a Host and an
IMP, to the paragraph beginning on page F-5 and ending on page F-7:

"Null packets do not use a channel (nor a channel number) when sent and
are not acknowledged when received."

     Please file this RFC with your copy of BBN report 1822 until 1822
is next updated.







DCW/nlg







RECEIVED AT NIC DECEMBER 3, 1973

ISO Plain Language

On this page

PROBLEMThe author proposed adding a sentence about null packets to the Very Distant Host specification in Appendix F of BBN Report 1822.

MECHANISMThe added text says that null packets use no channel or channel number when sent and are not acknowledged when received.

THE CLARIFICATIONReaders were asked to keep this RFC with their copy of Report 1822 until that report was updated.

§1An Addition to the Specification

The RFC says a sentence should be added to the Very Distant Host specification in Appendix F of BBN Report 1822, in the paragraph on pages F-5 through F-7. The author asks readers to file this RFC with their copy of the report until the report is next updated.

The author supplies an addition for a specific paragraph in BBN Report 1822. Readers should keep the note with the report until a revised copy includes it.

§2Rule for Null Packets

The proposed sentence states: “Null packets do not use a channel (nor a channel number) when sent and are not acknowledged when received.” The note does not add other rules about packet handling.

A null packet is sent without a channel or channel number, and the receiver does not acknowledge it. This RFC gives that rule as a direct addition to the cited specification.

§3How to Apply the Note

RFC 591 is a small amendment intended to accompany the existing report before its next revision. It identifies the exact appendix and page range where the sentence belongs.

Keep the clarification alongside Report 1822 so readers can apply it to the cited section until the report is revised.