The PPP NetBIOS Frames Control Protocol (NBFCP)
RFC 2097

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Network Working Group                                            G. Pall
Request for Comments: 2097                               Microsoft Corp.
Category: Standards Track                                   January 1997

            The PPP NetBIOS Frames Control Protocol (NBFCP)

Status of this Memo

   This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
   Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
   improvements.  Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
   Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
   and status of this protocol.  Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Abstract

   The Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) [1] provides a standard method for
   transporting multi-protocol datagrams over point-to-point links.  PPP
   defines an extensible Link Control Protocol, and proposes a family of
   Network Control Protocols for establishing and configuring different
   network-layer protocols.

   The NBF protocol [3] was originally called the NetBEUI protocol. This
   document defines the Network Control Protocol for establishing and
   configuring the NBF protocol over PPP.

   The NBFCP protocol is only applicable for an end system to connect to
   a peer system or the LAN that peer system is connected to.  It is not
   applicable for connecting two LANs together due to NetBIOS name
   limitations and NetBIOS name defense mechanisms.

Table of Contents

   1.     Introduction ..........................................    2
      1.1       Specification of Requirements ...................    2
      1.2       Terminology .....................................    3
   2.     A PPP Network Control Protocol for NBF ................    3
      2.1       Sending NBF Datagrams ...........................    4
      2.2       Bridging NBF Datagrams...........................    5
      2.3       NetBIOS Name Defense.............................    5
   3.     NBFCP Configuration Options ...........................    6
      3.1       Name-Projection..................................    6
      3.2       Peer-Information.................................    8
      3.3       Multicast-Filtering..............................   10
      3.4       IEEE-MAC-Address-Required........................   11
   SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS ......................................   12
   REFERENCES ...................................................   12

Pall                        Standards Track                     [Page 1]
RFC 2097                         NBFCP                      January 1997

   ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS .............................................   13
   CHAIR'S ADDRESS ..............................................   13
   AUTHOR'S ADDRESS .............................................   13

1.  Introduction

   PPP has three main components:

      1. A method for encapsulating multi-protocol datagrams.

      2. A Link Control Protocol (LCP) for establishing, configuring,
         and testing the data-link connection.

      3. A family of Network Control Protocols for establishing and
         configuring different network-layer protocols.

   In order to establish communications over a point-to-point link, each
   end of the PPP link must first send LCP packets to configure and test
   the data link.  After the link has been established and optional
   facilities have been negotiated as needed by the LCP, PPP must send
   NBFCP packets to choose and configure the NBF network-layer protocol.
   Once NBFCP has reached the Opened state, NBF datagrams can be sent
   over the link.

   The link will remain configured for communications until explicit LCP
   or NBFCP packets close the link down, or until some external event
   occurs (an inactivity timer expires or network administrator
   intervention).

1.1.  Specification of Requirements

   In this document, several words are used to signify the requirements
   of the specification.  These words are often capitalized.

   MUST      This word, or the adjective "required", means that the
             definition is an absolute requirement of the specification.

   MUST NOT  This phrase means that the definition is an absolute
             prohibition of the specification.

   SHOULD    This word, or the adjective "recommended", means that there
             may exist valid reasons in particular circumstances to
             ignore this item, but the full implications should be
             understood and carefully weighed before choosing a
             different course.

Pall                        Standards Track                     [Page 2]
RFC 2097                         NBFCP                      January 1997

   MAY       This word, or the adjective "optional", means that this
             item is one of an allowed set of alternatives.  An
             implementation which does not include this option MUST be
             prepared to interoperate with another implementation which