Requirements for an Internet Standard Point-to-Point Protocol
RFC 1547

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Network Working Group                                         D. Perkins
Request for Comments: 1547                    Carnegie Mellon University
Category: Informational                                    December 1993

     Requirements for an Internet Standard Point-to-Point Protocol

Status of this Memo

   This memo provides information for the Internet community.  This memo
   does not specify an Internet standard of any kind.  Distribution of
   this memo is unlimited.

Abstract

   This document discusses the evaluation criteria for an Internet
   Standard Data Link Layer protocol to be used with point-to-point
   links.  Although many industry standard protocols and ad hoc
   protocols already exist for the data link layer, none are both
   complete and sufficiently versatile to be accepted as an Internet
   Standard.  In preparation to designing such a protocol, the features
   necessary to qualify a point-to-point protocol as an Internet
   Standard are discussed in detail.  An analysis of the strengths and
   weaknesses of several existing protocols on the basis of these
   requirements demonstrates the failure of each to address key issues.

      Historical Note: This was the design requirements document dated
      June 1989, which was followed for RFC-1134 through the present.
      It is now published for completeness and future guidance.

Perkins                                                         [Page 1]
RFC 1547          Point-to-Point Protocol Requirements     December 1993

Table of Contents

   1.    Introduction ................................................3
   1.1   Definitions of Terms ........................................4
   2.    Required Features ...........................................6
   2.1   Simplicity ..................................................7
   2.2   Transparency ................................................7
   2.3   Packet Framing ..............................................7
   2.4   Bandwidth Efficiency ........................................8
   2.5   Protocol Processing Efficiency ..............................8
   2.6   Protocol Multiplexing .......................................8
   2.7   Multiple Physical and Data Link Layer Protocols..............8
   2.8   Error Detection .............................................9
   2.9   Standardized Maximum Packet Length (MTU) ....................9
   2.10  Switched and Non-Switched Media .............................9
   2.11  Symmetry ....................................................9
   2.12  Connection Liveness .........................................10
   2.13  Loopback Detection ..........................................10
   2.14  Misconfiguration Detection ..................................11
   2.15  Network Layer Address Negotiation ...........................11
   2.16  Data Compression Negotiation ................................11
   2.17  Extensibility and Option Negotiation ........................12
   3.    Features Not Required .......................................12
   3.1   Error Correction ............................................12
   3.2   Flow Control ................................................13
   3.3   Sequencing ..................................................13
   3.4   Backward Compatibility ......................................13
   3.5   Multi-Point Links ...........................................13
   3.6   Half-Duplex or Simplex Links ................................14
   3.7   7-bit Asynchronous RS-232 Links .............................14
   4.    Prior Work On PPP Protocols .................................14
   4.1   Internet Protocols ..........................................14
   4.1.1 RFC 891 - DCN Local-Network Protocols, Appendix A............14
   4.1.2 RFC 914 - Thinwire Protocols ................................14
   4.1.3 RFC 916 - Reliable Asynchronous Transfer Protocol............15
   4.1.4 RFC 935 - Reliable Link Layer Protocols .....................15
   4.1.5 RFC 1009 - Requirements for Internet Gateways ...............15
   4.1.6 RFC 1055 - Serial Line IP ...................................16
   4.2   International Protocols .....................................16
   4.2.1 ISO 3309 - HDLC Frame Structure .............................16
   4.2.2 ISO 6256 - HDLC Balanced Class of Procedures.................16
   4.2.3 CCITT X.25 and X.25 LAPB ....................................17
   4.2.4 CCITT I.441 LAPD ............................................17
   4.3   Other Protocols .............................................17
   4.3.1 Cisco Systems point-to-point protocols ......................17
   4.3.2 MIT PC/IP framing protocol ..................................18
   4.3.3 Proteon p4200 point-to-point protocol .......................18
   4.3.4 Ungermann Bass point-to-point protocol ......................18

Perkins                                                         [Page 2]
RFC 1547          Point-to-Point Protocol Requirements     December 1993