DIXIE Protocol Specification
RFC 1249

• Status
• IESG evaluation record
• IESG writeups
• Email expansions
• History

• Versions

Network Working Group                                           T. Howes
Request for Comments: 1249                                      M. Smith
                                                              B. Beecher
                                                  University of Michigan
                                                             August 1991

                      DIXIE Protocol Specification

Status of this Memo

   This RFC defines a mechanism by which TCP/UDP based clients can
   access OSI Directory Service without the overhead of the ISO
   transport and presentation protocols required to implement full-blown
   DAP.  This memo provides information for the Internet community.  It
   does not specify any standard.  Distribution of this memo is
   unlimited.

Table of Contents

   1. Introduction ..............................................  2
   1.1 History ..................................................  2
   2. Protocol ..................................................  2
   2.1 Header ...................................................  3
   2.2 Operations ...............................................  4
   2.2.1 Read ...................................................  4
   2.2.1.1 Read Request .........................................  4
   2.2.1.2 Read Reply ...........................................  4
   2.2.2 Search .................................................  5
   2.2.2.1 Search Request .......................................  5
   2.2.2.2 Search Reply .........................................  5
   2.2.3 List ...................................................  5
   2.2.3.1 List Request .........................................  5
   2.2.3.2 List Reply ...........................................  5
   2.2.4 Modify .................................................  5
   2.2.4.1 Modify Request .......................................  6
   2.2.4.2 Modify Reply .........................................  6
   2.2.5 Modify RDN .............................................  6
   2.2.5.1 Modify RDN Request ...................................  6
   2.2.5.2 Modify RDN Reply .....................................  6
   2.2.6 Add ....................................................  6
   2.2.6.1 Add Request ..........................................  7
   2.2.6.2 Add Reply ............................................  7
   2.2.7 Remove .................................................  7
   2.2.7.1 Remove Request .......................................  7
   2.2.7.2 Remove Reply .........................................  7
   2.2.8 Bind ...................................................  7
   2.2.8.1 Bind Request .........................................  7

Howes, Smith, & Beecher                                         [Page 1]
RFC 1249                         DIXIE                       August 1991

   2.2.8.2 Bind Reply ...........................................  8
   2.3 Operation Code Summary ...................................  8
   2.4 Return Code Summary ......................................  8
   3. References ................................................  9
   4. Available Implementations .................................  9
   5. Security Considerations....................................  9
   6. Authors' Addresses ........................................ 10

1.    Introduction

   OSI Directory Service defines a powerful mechanism for storing and
   retrieving information about objects, and for arranging those objects
   in a hierarchical structure.  Many types of objects and information
   can be stored in The Directory, including white pages information,
   application information, service information, etc.  The OSI protocol
   defined to allow access to this information is the Directory Access
   Protocol (DAP).  The DAP, being an OSI application-layer program, is
   fairly heavy-weight and requires a substantial amount of computing
   power and coding investment to implement.

   The DIXIE protocol is designed for use by smaller hosts (e.g.,
   Macintoshes and PCs) that do not have the computing power or
   necessary software to implement a full OSI protocol stack.  The DIXIE
   protocol is also useful for any Internet application that wants a
   simple interface to X.500 that requires very little coding
   investment.

   The basic idea behind DIXIE is the same as that described in RFC 1202
   for the Directory Assistance Protocol.  DIXIE offers both UDP and TCP
   access to The Directory.  While the Directory Assistance Protocol
   exports something of a user interface, DIXIE provides a more direct
   protocol translation.

1.1   History

   The DIXIE protocol has evolved over time, slowly growing into the
   protocol described by this document.  Without an understanding of the
   circumstances surrounding this evolution, the wisdom of some of the
   DIXIE design decisions may not be apparent.

2.    Protocol

   This section describes the DIXIE protocol in detail.  DIXIE follows a