Network Working Group                                          G. Malkin
Request for Comments: 1150                                       Proteon
FYI: 1                                                       J. Reynolds
                                                                    ISI
                                                             March 1990


                           F.Y.I. on F.Y.I.

                   Introduction to the F.Y.I. Notes

Status of this Memo

  This RFC is the first in a new sub-series of RFCs called FYIs (For
  Your Information).  This memo provides information for the Internet
  community.  It does not specify any standard.  Distribution of this
  memo is unlimited.

1.  Introduction

  The FYI series of notes is designed to provide Internet users with a
  central repository of information about any topics which relate to
  the Internet.  FYIs topics may range from historical memos on "Why it
  was was done this way" to answers to commonly asked operational
  questions.

  The FYIs are intended for a wide audience.  Some FYIs will cater to
  beginners, while others will discuss more advanced topics.  An FYI
  may be submitted by anyone who has something to contribute and has
  the time to do so.

2.  Why RFCs

  There are several reasons why the FYIs are part of the larger RFC
  series of notes.  The formost reason is that the distribution
  mechanisms for RFCs are tried and true.  Anyone who can get an RFC,
  can automatically get an FYI.  More importantly, anyone who knows of
  the RFC series, can easily find out about the FYIs.

  Another reason for making FYIs part of the RFC series is that the
  maintainance mechanisms for RFCs are already in place and funded.  It
  makes sense to maintain similar documents is a similar way.  After
  all, there have been informational RFCs before.

  Finally, the name RFC has come to carry a meaning with it.  There is
  credibility associated memos carrying the RFC label.  FYIs should
  share that respect.




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3.  Format Rules

  Since the FYIs are a part of the RFC series, they must conform to
  RFC-1111 (Request for Comments on Request for Comments: Instructions
  to RFC Authors) with respect to format.  Ideally, they should be
  submitted in ASCII format, as described by section 2a, of RFC-1111.

4.  Status Statement

  Each RFC must include on its first page the "Status of this Memo"
  section which contains a paragraph describing the intention of the
  RFC.  This section is meant to convey the status granted by the RFC
  Editor and the Internet Activities Board (IAB).  There are several
  reasons for publishing a memo as an RFC, for example, to make
  available some information for interested people, or to begin or
  continue a discussion of an interesting idea, or to make available
  the specification of a protocol.

  For example:

  This RFC is the first in a new sub-series of RFCs called FYIs (For
  Your Information).  This memo provides information for the Internet
  community.  It does not specify any standard.  Distribution of this
  memo is unlimited.

5.  Distribution Statement

  Each FYI is to also include a "distribution statement".  As the
  purpose of the FYI series is to disseminate information, there is no
  reason for the distribution to be anything other than "unlimited".

  Typically, the distribution statement will simply be the sentence
  "Distribution of this memo is unlimited." appended to the "Status of
  this Memo" section.

6. Security Considerations

  All FYIs must contain a section that discusses the security
  considerations of the procedures that are the main topic of the RFC.

7.  Author's Address

  Each FYI must have at the very end a section giving the author's
  address, including the name and postal address, the telephone number,
  and the Internet email address.






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8.  Relation to other FYIs

  Sometimes an FYI adds information on a topic discussed in a previous
  FYI or completely replaces an earlier FYI.  There are two terms used
  for these cases respectively, UPDATES and OBSOLETES.  A document that
  obsoletes an earlier document can stand on its own.  A document that
  merely updates an earlier document cannot stand on its own; it is
  something that must be added to or inserted into the existing
  document, and has limited usefulness independently.

  UPDATES

     To be used as a reference from a new item that cannot be used
     alone (i.e., one that supplements a previous document), to refer
     to the previous document.  The newer publication is a part that
     will supplement or be added on to the existing document; e.g., an
     addendum, or separate, extra information that is to be added to
     the original document.

  OBSOLETES

     To be used to refer to an earlier document that is replaced by
     this document.  This document contains either revised information,
     or else all of the same information plus some new information,
     however extensive or brief that new information is; i.e., this
     document can be used alone, without reference to the older
     document.

  OBSOLETED-BY

     To be used to refer to the newer document that replaces the older
     document.

  UPDATED-BY

     To be used to refer to the newer document that adds information to
     the existing, still useful, document.

9. The FYI Editors

  All FYIs are submitted to the IETF User Services Working Group for
  review prior to their submission to the RFC Editor.

  Submissions may be made to:







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        Joyce K. Reynolds
        Chair, User Services Working Group
        USC - Information Sciences Institute
        4676 Admiralty Way
        Marina del Rey, California  90292-6695

        Phone: (213) 822-1511

        Electronic mail: [email protected]

10.  The FYI Announcement List

  New FYIs are announced to the RFC distribution list maintained by the
  SRI Network Information Center (NIC).  Contact the SRI-NIC to be
  added or deleted from this mailing list by sending an email message
  to [email protected].

11.  Obtaining FYIs

  FYIs can be obtained via FTP from NIC.DDN.MIL, with the pathname
  FYI:mm.TXT, or RFC:RFCnnnn.TXT (where "mm" refers to the number of
  the FYI and "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 [email protected] and in the subject field of the
  message indicate the FYI or RFC number, as in "Subject: FYI mm" or
  "Subject: RFC nnnn".

Security Considerations

  Security issues are not discussed in this memo.

Authors' Addresses

  Gary Scott Malkin
  Proteon, Inc.
  2 Technology Drive
  Westborough, MA  01581-5008
  Phone:  (508) 898-2800
  EMail:  [email protected]

  Joyce K. Reynolds
  USC/Information Sciences Institute
  4676 Admiralty Way
  Marina del Rey, CA  90292-6695
  Phone:  (213) 822-1511
  EMail:  [email protected]




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