Network Working Group                                          G. MalkinRequest for Comments: 1150                                       ProteonFYI: 1                                                       J. Reynolds                                                                     ISI                                                              March 1990                            F.Y.I. on F.Y.I.                    Introduction to the F.Y.I. NotesStatus 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.Malkin & Reynolds                                               [Page 1]RFC 1150                    F.Y.I. on F.Y.I.                  March 19903.  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.Malkin & Reynolds                                               [Page 2]RFC 1150                    F.Y.I. on F.Y.I.                  March 19908.  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:Malkin & Reynolds                                               [Page 3]RFC 1150                    F.Y.I. on F.Y.I.                  March 1990         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: JKREY@ISI.EDU10.  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 RFC-REQUEST@NIC.DDN.MIL.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 SERVICE@NIC.DDN.MIL 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:  gmalkin@proteon.com   Joyce K. Reynolds   USC/Information Sciences Institute   4676 Admiralty Way   Marina del Rey, CA  90292-6695   Phone:  (213) 822-1511   EMail:  jkrey@isi.eduMalkin & Reynolds                                               [Page 4]