RFC 1169

Explaining the role of GOSIP

📅 published August 1990, from ietf

RFC 1169: Explaining the Role of GOSIP 🎀

Okay bestie, so this is RFC 1169, Explaining the Role of GOSIP 💖. It came out of the Network Working Group, written by V. Cerf (IAB) and K. Mills (NIST), and it's dated August 1990. It's an informational RFC, which means it does not specify a standard, and the header doesn't list anything it obsoletes or updates ✨.

1. Status of this Memo ✨

This is an informational RFC 🎀. It's the official view of the Internet Activities Board (IAB), after it coordinated with the Federal Networking Council (FNC). The big thing to know is that this RFC does not specify a standard 🙈.

Distribution of this memo is unlimited 🌸.

Table of Contents 📑

   1.  Status of this Memo...........................................  1
   2.  Abstract......................................................  2
   3.  Introduction..................................................  2
   4.  Acknowledgements..............................................  3
   5.  GOSIP Background..............................................  3
   6.  Understanding GOSIP...........................................  4
   6.1.  Applicability...............................................  4
   6.1.1.  Procurement Vs. Transition................................  5
   6.1.2.  Small Network Add-on Vs. Major Upgrade....................  5
   6.1.3.  OSI Incompleteness........................................  5
   6.2.  Exclusivity.................................................  5
   6.3.  Implementation..............................................  6
   6.4.  Waivers.....................................................  6
   6.5.  Enforcement.................................................  7
   7.  Role of the IETF in Support of OSI............................  7
   8.  Role of the Internet Infrastructure Agencies in
       Support of OSI................................................  7
   9.  Role of the Internet Using Agencies in the
       Application of OSI............................................  7
   10.  Summary......................................................  8
   11.  References...................................................  9
   12.  Appendix -- To Obtain GOSIP Documents........................  9
   12.1  GOSIP.......................................................  9
   12.1.1  GOSIP Version 1...........................................  9
   12.1.2  GOSIP Version 2........................................... 10
   12.2  NIST Workshop for Implementors of OSI Documents............. 11
   12.2.1  SIA, Version 1............................................ 11
   12.2.2  SIA, Version 2............................................ 12
   12.2.3  WIA (August, 1989)........................................ 13
   12.3  GOSIP Users' Guide.......................................... 13
   12.4  Addresses/Telephone Numbers................................. 14
   13.  Security Considerations...................................... 15
   14.  Authors' Addresses........................................... 15

2. Abstract 🌈

So the big picture is this: the Federal Networking Council (FNC), the Internet Activities Board (IAB), and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) are totally committed to responsible integration of OSI, and that commitment is built on sound network planning 💅. In practice, OSI will be added to the Internet without sacrificing services that existing Internet users already have now, and a multi-protocol environment is going to stick around for a prolonged period 🫶. Planning is already underway across the Internet community to enable OSI integration, coexistence of OSI with TCP/IP, and interoperability between OSI and TCP/IP 🦋.

The U.S. Government OSI Profile (GOSIP) is a necessary tool for planning OSI integration 🔥. But as the August 1990 requirement date for GOSIP compliance gets closer, people are still wondering how GOSIP should be applied to near-term network planning 😭.

So the goal of this statement is to explain the role and applicability of the GOSIP document, and to show off the government's commitment to an integrated, interoperable OSI environment built on responsible planning ✨.

3. Introduction 🧚

The Federal Agencies (represented in the FNC), the Internet community (represented by the IAB), and the IETF are all fully committed to integrating OSI into the Internet. Why? Because OSI is recognized as an international standard networking protocol suite 🌍.

The FNC, IAB, and IETF are taking sound technical steps to integrate OSI, in a fashion and on a schedule that keeps current levels of service for users of the existing operational networks that are part of the Internet 💖. Here's the tea: there's a large installed base of TCP/IP protocol users, commercial OSI products have only had limited deployment, and the OSI standards for routing, network management, and directory services are still incompletely developed. Put those together and an immediate, total transition to a pure OSI environment in the Internet is unrealistic 🙈.

In what follows, we give a brief overview of GOSIP and tackle some of the often confusing points about its intent, applicability, and implementation 🌷. We also describe the role of the IETF in integrating OSI into the Internet, and we discuss the role of Federal Agencies in this process 🦋.

4. Acknowledgements 💜

Special thanks to Rebecca Nitzan of Sterling and Phill Gross of CNRI for developing several draft versions of this RFC 🫶.

5. GOSIP Background 📚

The Government OSI Profile (GOSIP) was published as Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 146, issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST). It specifies the details of an OSI configuration for use in the Government, so that interoperable OSI products can be procured from commercial vendors 💅. GOSIP is needed because OSI standards allow many potential options and choices, and some of them are incompatible 🙈. GOSIP is based on refinements of OSI standards, and those refinements are agreed to by commercial implementors and potential users through a series of OSI Implementors Workshops (OIW) hosted by NIST four times every year since 1983. As OSI becomes more widely deployed, GOSIP compliance will become increasingly important 👑.

GOSIP was written by an inter-agency group and keeps evolving under the guidance of the GOSIP Advanced Requirements Group. The IETF is represented on that group, and so are Federal Government Agencies, including the FNC agencies 🌸.

The GOSIP FIPS consists of:

An announcement adopting GOSIP as a Federal standard. The announcement section of the FIPS covers topics such as the objectives of GOSIP, its applicability, implementation requirements, and waiver procedures.
The technical specification of GOSIP products to be procured. The technical specification section of GOSIP describes the details of a subset of OSI protocols. Products implementing GOSIP are in development by or available from many computer vendors.
Appendices describing the plans for including additional functionality into future versions of the GOSIP technical specification.

The first version of GOSIP was published in August 1988, following a long comment period that began as early as January 1987. GOSIP was adopted as FIPS 146 in February 1989 and will become a Federal procurement requirement in August 1990 [1]. A second version of GOSIP will become a FIPS in 1990 and will then become a Federal procurement requirement 18 months later [2]. Along with the second version of GOSIP, NIST will issue errata associated with GOSIP Version 1.0 📅.

There's also an extra publication called the GOSIP Users' Guide, which gives an expanded explanation of GOSIP, including tutorials, interpretation, integration planning advice, and information on registration [3] 📖. The GOSIP Users' Guide will be updated and re-released in coordination with each version of GOSIP. Info on how to obtain GOSIP and related documents is included in the Appendix to this RFC ✨.

6. Understanding GOSIP 🔍

There's a common misunderstanding that GOSIP mandates an immediate, total transition to the use of OSI protocols in August 1990 😭. A few things feed into this, including the summary nature of the FIPS applicability and implementation sections, trade press synopses trying to explain a complex subject in simple terms, and hearsay. The FIPS language will be improved in GOSIP Version 2.0, and the GOSIP Users' Guide gives more detailed treatment of these issues. Below is a summary of the issues 💅.

6.1. Applicability 🎯

The motivation behind the U.S. GOSIP document is to achieve, in the long term, a common, vendor neutral, interoperable computer communication capability throughout the U.S. Government. Agreeing on a common configuration of OSI protocols (GOSIP) for purposes of procurement is intended to help with this goal 🌈.

Beginning in August, 1990, federal agencies procuring computer network products and services must require that those products and services comply with OSI, where feasible, as specified in GOSIP Version 1.0. This will insure that all government-procured OSI products and services meet the same OSI Protocol profile 🦋.

If the application for which network services or products are procured can be supported through GOSIP Version 1.0-compliant facilities, then it is required that compliant products or services be procured 🫶.

6.1.1. Procurement Vs. Transition 🛒

FIPS 146 is a procurement specification. The FIPS mandates the acquisition of OSI products when agencies require the functionality supplied by the OSI features specified in GOSIP. GOSIP does not mandate an immediate, total transition to OSI in August 1990 💖.

6.1.2. Small Network Add-on Vs. Major Upgrade 🧩

GOSIP applies most readily to procurement of new networks and major upgrades to existing networks. "Major upgrade" does not necessarily mean adding components to an existing non-GOSIP network. For example, if an agency has an existing network and needs to add several compatible devices, there is no mandate to retrofit GOSIP into the entire existing network 🔧.

6.1.3. OSI Incompleteness 🚧

Many of the OSI protocols are still in the process of being standardized. The GOSIP 1.0 and 2.0 versions address only configurations of fully-standardized OSI protocols. As new OSI standards emerge (e.g., for directory services, network management and dynamic routing), the GOSIP documents will be revised to incorporate agreed profiles/configurations. Each GOSIP document contains appendices describing the status of OSI protocol standardization and plans for incorporating new functionality into subsequent GOSIP versions 🌟.

6.2. Exclusivity

okay so GOSIP is not exclusive 🙅‍♀️✨ When an agency implements GOSIP, other protocols can still be procured and used on the same network. This non-exclusive vibe is going to stick around for the indefinite future, and here's why 💅

Agencies with existing networks that are planning an OSI integration will need support for existing protocols and protocol converters during the integration period 🔄
Non-GOSIP protocols might have some enhanced feature or improved performance that an agency finds beneficial 🚀 GOSIP is meant to provide for Government-wide interoperability, but it is not meant to do so at the expense of other requirements 🫶
GOSIP does not meet every networking requirement of every agency 😭 Honestly, given how fast computing and communications keep changing, no single protocol suite is likely to meet every networking requirement 🌈

6.3. Implementation

Each agency is responsible for planning the integration of OSI into agency networks 🗺️ Many factors must be considered, including but not limited to:

the installed network base
requirements for functionality not yet present in GOSIP
availability of funds
future plans for networks in support of agency missions
requirements for agency and government wide interoperability
planned additions to OSI functionality in future versions of GOSIP.

NIST recommends a three step approach to implement the provisions of GOSIP. The steps are giving main character energy 👑

develop a clear and definitive policy regarding use of OSI within an agency
develop an appropriate set of plans to implement the policy
update and act on the plans as agency networks are acquired and upgraded.

Agency management has the responsibility to determine applicability of GOSIP to particular procurements, and to evaluate and grant or deny waivers from GOSIP when GOSIP would otherwise apply. For further details on these issues, see the GOSIP Users' Guide 📖🎀

6.4. Waivers

Waivers may be granted from the mandated provisions of GOSIP when adherence to GOSIP would prevent an agency from accomplishing its mission, or when an agency would suffer adverse financial effects that are not offset by Government-wide savings. Authority to grant such waivers is delegated to the heads of agencies 👩‍💼

Developing a waiver process should be part of an agency's implementation planning 🍓 No waiver is needed if GOSIP does not apply. Procedures are outlined in the FIPS and further discussed in the GOSIP Users' Guide 🦋

no waiver needed if GOSIP doesn't even apply to the procurement 🙈 that's the whole point!

6.5. Enforcement

NIST does not have an enforcement responsibility with respect to GOSIP 🙃 Any enforcement that occurs will result from the normal process of planning, acquiring, and implementing networks within government agencies 🧚

7. Role of the IETF in Support of OSI

Within the Internet community, the IETF, working under the direction of the IAB, plays a key role in planning for integration of OSI into the Internet 🌸 The IETF will define the technical mechanisms necessary to accommodate OSI in the Internet and to permit coexistence and interoperability between OSI and TCP/IP protocols during the indeterminate period of multi-protocol operation. The IETF's activities include, but are not limited to, drafting appropriate RFCs, creating input to GOSIP, the GOSIP Users' Guide, and the OSI Implementors Workshop (OIW) 💜

The IETF may also recommend to the FNC experiments to be undertaken to further the integration of OSI into the Internet 🔬 One of the eight areas of work for the IETF is dedicated to OSI integration. And a representative of the IETF is an official member of the GOSIP Advanced Requirements Group 🫶✨

8. Role of the Internet Infrastructure Agencies in Support of OSI

Certain of the FNC agencies have a role in providing a significant part of the communications infrastructure for the Internet, that is, links, backbone routers, management facilities, and directory services 🏗️ For example, the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), the Department of Energy (DOE), and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) have such a role 🚀

These agencies must provide for essential infrastructure services such as routing of ISO 8473 packets in the NSFnet backbone, provision of application level gateways enabling interoperability between TCP/IP and OSI applications, and provision of OSI directory services 💖

9. Role of the Internet Using Agencies in the Application of OSI

The FNC agencies using Internet services also have a necessary role in the integration of OSI 🧁 The FNC agencies must identify their requirements and participate in the IETF and GOSIP groups to ensure that their needs can be met 🙌

The FNC agencies should also plan to implement OSI within their networks in accordance with the realities of their technical and management plans, taking cognizance of the plans for and progress toward implementation of key OSI elements in the Internet Infrastructure 🌈 Each FNC agency should develop an agency policy on the adoption and use of GOSIP, and should initiate planning for incorporation of GOSIP-compliant products into agency networks 💅

10. Summary

The FNC, the IAB, and the IETF have a firm commitment to responsible integration of OSI protocols into the Internet, based upon sound network planning 🔥 A multi-protocol environment will exist in the Internet for a considerable period of time. As OSI products grow in number and capability, and as more OSI standards are completed, the role of GOSIP will grow in importance ⭐

To summarize:

FIPS 146 (GOSIP) is a specification of which OSI protocols are to be procured for U.S. Government use. GOSIP does not mandate, or even explicitly address, the issue of protocol transition. 🧐
As a procurement specification, GOSIP does not apply to existing installed equipment. It applies to new network procurements and major upgrades to existing networks. "Major upgrade" does not necessarily apply to increasing the number of components of current functionality in existing non-GOSIP networks. 🏠
When GOSIP does apply, it is not exclusionary. That is, other protocol families can also be procured and used. 🦋
When GOSIP does apply, waivers are allowed in consideration of specific agency requirements. When GOSIP does not apply, no waiver is necessary. ✨
Agencies have the responsibility 1) for agency-wide planning for GOSIP compliance in their network procurements, 2) for developing their own waiver process, and 3) for determining the applicability of GOSIP to any specific procurement. 📋💜

11. References

[1] "U.S. Government Open Systems Interconnection Profile", U.S. Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 146, Version 1, August 1988.

[2] "U.S. Government Open Systems Interconnection Profile", U.S. Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 146-1, Draft Version 2, April 1989.

[3] Boland, T., "Government Open Systems Interconnection Profile Users' Guide", NIST Special Publication 500-163, August 1989.

12. Appendix -- To Obtain GOSIP Documents

Below is the information needed to obtain the U.S. GOSIP and NIST/OSI Implementors Workshop (OIW) documents 📚 All prices are in U.S. dollars and represent the most up-to-date information available at this time. For further pricing information and ordering details, contact the seller (all addresses and telephone numbers are to be found at the end) 💌

12.1 GOSIP

12.1.1 GOSIP Version 1.

GOSIP Version 1 (Federal Information Processing Standard 146) was published in August 1988. It becomes mandatory in applicable federal procurements in August 1990 🗓️

NIST POINT OF CONTACT: Jerry Mulvenna

HARDCOPY:

      NTIS
      Order Number:  FIPS PUB 146
      Price:  $17.00 (paper); $8.00 (microfiche)

ON-LINE:

The federal register announcement (FIPS 146) as well as GOSIP are available through anonymous ftp from nic.ddn.mil (192.67.67.20) as:
- <protocols>gosip-fedreg.txt (ascii)
- <protocols>gosip-fips-draft.txt (ascii)
- <protocols>gosip-v1.txt (ascii)
Through anonymous ftp or FTAM (ISODE 5.0, user: ftam, realstore=unix) from osi3.ncsl.nist.gov (129.6.48.100) as:
- pub/gosip/gosip_v1_fedreg.txt (ascii)
- pub/gosip/fips146_draft.txt (ascii)
- pub/gosip/gosip_v1.txt (ascii)
- pub/gosip/gosip_v1.txt.Z (compressed)

12.1.2 GOSIP Version 2.

GOSIP Version 2 is currently a draft 📝 It has undergone public review and comment. Comments will be addressed by the GOSIP Advanced Requirements Committee in May, 1990. Final text is expected to be available in August, 1990 🌷

NIST POINT OF CONTACT: Jerry Mulvenna

HARDCOPY:

      NIST Standards Processing Coordinator (ADP)

ON-LINE:

Available through anonymous ftp or FTAM (ISODE 5.0, user: ftam, realstore=unix) from osi3.ncsl.nist.gov (129.6.48.100) as:
- pub/gosip/gosip_v2_draft.txt (ascii)
- pub/gosip/gosip_v2_draft.txt.Z (compressed)
- pub/gosip/gosip_v2_draft.ps (postscript)
- pub/gosip/gosip_v2_draft.ps.Z (compressed)
Available through anonymous ftp from nic.ddn.mil (192.67.67.20) as:
- <protocols>gosip-v2-draft.doc

12.2 NIST Workshop for Implementors of OSI Documents

The output of the NIST Workshop for Implementors of OSI (OIW) is a pair of aligned documents 📖✨ One represents Stable Implementation Agreements (SIA), and the other contains Working Implementation Agreements (WIA) that have not yet gone into the stable document. Material is in either one or the other of these documents, but not both, and the documents have the same index structure 🧩

The SIA is reproduced in its entirety at the beginning of each calendar year, with an incremented version number. Replacement page sets are distributed subsequently three times during each year (after each Workshop), reflecting edits to the stable material. The replacement pages constitute the next edition of that year's version 🔁

The WIA is reproduced in its entirety after each Workshop (held in March, June, September and December). OIW attendees automatically receive the WIA. OIW meeting dates in 1990 are: March 12-16; June 18-22; September 10-14; and December 10-14 🗓️💜

NIST POINTS OF CONTACT:

      1. Tim Boland/management information
         Chairman, OIW

      2. Brenda Gray/administrative information
         OIW Registrar

12.2.1 SIA, Version 1. ✨

Okay so the SIA (the Stable Implementors' Agreements, btw) has a few versions, and we're starting with Version 1 bestie 🎀

SIA, Version 1, Edition 1 (Dec, 1987) 💖 The SIA, V1E1 is published as NIST Special Publication 500-150. It is the appropriate version and edition of the SIA for GOSIP Version 1 (FIPS 146). Literally the right one to grab if you're doing GOSIP V1 😭

HARDCOPY:

1. U.S. Government Printing Office GPO Stock Number: 003-02838-0 Price: $20.00
2. NTIS Order Number: PB 88-168331 Price: $31.00 (paper); $8.00 (microfiche)

SIA, Version 1, Edition 3 (August, 1988) 🦋 The SIA, V1E3 is also published as NBS Special Publication 500-150 (note the different GPO Stock Number when ordering). Be careful with that one, the GPO number is different, so don't mix them up 🙈

HARDCOPY:

U.S. Government Printing Office GPO Stock Number: 003-003-02838-0 Price: $12.00 (paper)

ON-LINE:

Available through anonymous ftp or FTAM (ISODE 5.0, user: ftam, realstore=unix) from from osi3.ncsl.nist.gov (129.6.48.100) as:
- pub/gosip/nist_osiws_sia_v1e3.txt (ascii)
- pub/gosip/nist_osiws_sia_v1e3.txt.Z (compressed)
Available through anonymous ftp from nic.ddn.mil (192.67.67.20) as:
- <protocols>nbsosi-argrements.doc

12.2.2 SIA, Version 2. ✨

SIA, Version 2 is the next glow-up 💅

SIA, Version 2, Edition 1 (Dec, 1988) 🌸 The SIA, V2E1 is published as NBS Special Publication 500-162.

HARDCOPY:

U.S. Government Printing Office GPO Stock Number: 003-003-02921-1 Price: $26.00
IEEE Computer Society ISBN 0-8186-9022-4 Book No. 2022 Price: $75.00 (casebound) (a subscription service is available from IEEE)
NTIS Order Number: PB 89193312 Price: $53.00 (paper); $8.00 (microfiche)

SIA, Version 2, Editions 2-4 🧚 These are available as hardcopy from NIST staff, subject to staff availability. Contact:

Brenda Gray/administrative information OIW Registrar

SIA, Version 3, Edition 1 (Dec, 1989) 👑 The SIA V3E1 is expected to be available in the first half of 1990. It may be ordered from the IEEE Computer Society and the U.S. GPO. Future editions of Version 3 are expected to be available from NTIS, and possibly GPO and the IEEE Computer Society.

12.2.3 WIA (August, 1989). ✨

The August, 1989 WIA, published as a NIST Interagency Report (IR-89-4140), is the most recent copy of the WIA that is available to order. The December, 1989 WIA document is available from NTIS and the IEEE Computer Society. The August, 1989 WIA (NIST IR-89-4140) is available in hardcopy from:

NTIS Order Number: PB 89235931/AS Price: $36.95 (paper); $6.95 (microfiche)

12.3 GOSIP Users' Guide 🎀

This publication assists federal agencies in planning for and procuring OSI. It provides tutorial information on OSI protocols as well as information on OSI registration, GOSIP technical evaluation, and GOSIP transition strategies. Honestly the perfect read if you're new to all this 🦋

HARDCOPY:

NTIS Order Number: PB 90-111212 Price: $23 (paper); $8 (microfiche)

12.4 Addresses/Telephone Numbers 📞

NIST CONTACTS

Tim Boland/management information Chairman, OIW Technology, B217 Gaithersburg, MD 20899 (301) 975-3608 boland@ecf.ncsl.nist.gov

Brenda Gray/administrative information OIW Registrar Technology, B217 Gaithersburg, MD 20899 (301) 975-3664

Jerry Mulvenna Technology, B217 Gaithersburg, MD 20899 (301) 975-3631 mulvenna@ecf.ncsl.nist.gov

13. Security Considerations 🔥

Security issues are not discussed in this memo. 💀 Honest, but also… the vibes are a little bit "we'll deal with that later" 🙈

14. Authors' Addresses 💜

Vinton G. Cerf Chairman, IAB Corporation for National Research Initiatives 1895 Preston White Drive, Suite 100 Reston, VA 22091

Phone: (703) 620-8990

EMail: vcerf@nri.reston.va.us

Kevin L. Mills National Institute of Standards and Technology Building 225, Room B217 Gaithersburg, MD 20899

Phone: (301) 975-3618

EMail: MILLS@ECF.NCSL.NIST.GOV

📦 where this page comes from

ietf: rfc1169 1990-08
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