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- [ PROTOCOLS:OSDIR-1.TXT ] [ OJ, 5/86 ]
-
- THE UNDER SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
-
- WASHINGTON, D.C. 20301
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-
-
- 23 December 1978
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-
- MEMORANDUM FOR SECRETARY OF THE ARMY
- SECRETARY OF THE NAVY
- SECRETARY OF THE AIR FORCE
- CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF
- DIRECTOR, DEFENSE ADVANCED RESEARCH PROJECTS AGENCY
- DIRECTOR, DEFENSE COMMUNICATIONS AGENCY
- DIRECTOR, DEFENSE INTELLIGENCE AGENCY
- DIRECTOR, DEFENSE LOGISTICS AGENCY
- DIRECTOR, NATIONAL SECURITY AGENCY
-
-
- SUBJECT: Host-to-Host Protocols for Data Communications Networks
-
- A number of data communications networks are operating or
- under development within DoD, without adequate provisions for
- interoperability. AUTODIN II is expected to become operational during
- FY 1980, to provide common-user data communications service for DoD
- computer systems and permit a reduction in the number of specialized
- data networks. Plans are under way to incorporate within AUTODIN II
- networks such as the WWMCCS Intercomputer Network (WIN), Intelligence
- Data Handling System Communications (IDHSC) and the SAC Digital
- Network (SACDIN), among others. Local networks such as the Community
- On-Line Intelligence Network System (COINS) and certain tactical
- networks must have effective AUTODIN II interfaces.
-
- AUTODIN II will provide connectivity for a wide range of systems, but
- the potential for information exchange beyond narrowly defined
- communities will be limited without appropriate standards for
- internet, host-to-host, terminal-to-host and other protocols. As the
- need to exchange information across network boundaries increases, lack
- of common protocol standards will become a formidable barrier to
- interoperability. Techniques in which the protocols on one network
- are translated into the protocols of another will become increasingly
- unworkable as the number of protocols and networks requiring
- interoperation increases.
-
- To insure interoperability of future data networking, I am directing
- the adoption of a set of DoD standard host-to-host protocols based on
- the Transmission Control Protocol and Internet Protocols (TCP/IP
- version 4) developed in the DARPA/DCA internetwork community. DoD
- requirements for precedence, security, and community of interest
- controls will be incorporated within the standard protocol set. Use
- of these protocols will be mandatory for all packet-oriented data
- networks where there is a potential for host-to-host connectivity
- across network or subnetwork boundaries. Case-by-case exceptions will
- be granted only for networks that can be shown to have no future
- requirements for interoperability. Because the host-to-host protocol
- being developed for AUTODIN II evolved from an early version of TCP
- and is unsuitable for internetwork operation, the AUTODIN II TCP will
- have to be upgraded to the standard protocol set. Recognizing that
- there may be cost and schedule impacts on the AUTODIN II program, the
- Defense Communications Agency should perform a cost tradeoff analysis
- to determine the optimum time for this transition. DCA should provide
- the results of this analysis by April 1979.
-
- To address these and future protocol issues and promulgate appropriate
- standards, I am forming an OSD Protocol Standards Working Group
- chaired by the Director, Information Systems. I ask each addressee to
- nominate a representative. Names should be provided by January 8 1979
- to LTC Wilcox (695-3287). The first task of this group will be to
- finalize details of the standard host-to-host protocol set. Draft
- specifications for these protocols will be available in January 1979.
- Final specifications should be distributed by April 1979 following
- review by the working group and testing by DCA and DARPA. At that
- time, I expect to promulgate these standards and set dates for their
- adoption.
-
- The Defense Communications Agency is designated as DoD Executive Agent
- for computer communications protocols and will manage the
- implementation and development and evolution of standard host-to-host
- protocols, as designated by the Protocol Standards Working Group. The
- DCA will forward to this office within 120 days a management plan for
- carrying out this role.
-
-
- Gerrald P. Dinneen
- Principal Deputy