>To: IETF-Announce: ;
>cc: new-work@ietf.org
>Subject: WG Review: Zero Configuration Networking (zeroconf)
>Date: Thu, 02 Sep 1999 09:31:02 -0400
>From: Steve Coya <scoya@cnri.reston.va.us>
>
>
>A new IETF working group has been proposed in the Internet Area.
>The IESG has not made any determination as yet.
>
>The following Description was submitted, and is provided for
>informational purposes only:
>
>
>Zero Configuration Networking (zeroconf)
>=======================================
>
> Current Status: Proposed Working Group
>
>The goal of the Zero Configuration Networking (ZEROCONF) Working Group
>is to enable networking in the absence of configuration and
>administration. Zero configuration networking is required for
>environments where administration is impractical or impossible,
>such as in the home or small office, embedded systems 'plugged
>together' as in an automobile, or to allow impromptu networks as
>between the devices of strangers on a train.
>
>ZEROCONF requirements will make networking as easy as possible, but
>no easier. In some cases other considerations may dominate ease of
>use. For example, network security requires some configuration which
>may not be as easy as the unacceptable alternative of 'no security.'
>
>Networks where ZEROCONF protocols apply can include (but are not limited
>to) environments where no DHCP, MADCAP or DNS servers are present.
>
>This working group will address both IPv4 and IPv6.
>
>Many functions which are not of fundamental importance to host and
>application configuration are outside the scope of the working group.
>This is not because there are no other problems to solve for networking
>in an environment without administration. This working group will
>focus on an achievable subset of these problems. The ZEROCONF WG will
>precisely define the requirements for each of the following functions:
>
> * Automatic Host Configuration (IP address, network prefix, gateway
> router location, DNS server location)
>
> * Name-to-Address Translation
>
> * Service Discovery
>
> * Automatic allocation of Multicast Addresses
>
> * Sufficient security features to prevent ZEROCONF networks from being
> abused
>
>The working group will define the requirements to provide these
>functions on two distinct network topologies:
>
> 1. A single network segment, where all hosts are reachable by
> link-layer broadcast or multicast messages.
>
> 2. A set of network segments, (on different IP subnetworks)
> interconnected by a single router.
>
>
>Automatic configuration of an arbitrary topology of routers and subnets
>is out of the scope of the ZEROCONF WG charter.
>
>The working group will also define how such a network will automatically
>transition from 'administered' to 'unadministered' behavior, as well as
>from 'unadministered' to 'administered'. That is, the same hosts must
>be able to function on networks with no configuration as well as be
>capable of direct IP connectivity to the global Internet, including
>DNS entries supplied through standard DNS services. It is also possible
>that both modes (ZEROCONF and administered) may coexist on the same
>network; the modes may not be exclusive of each other.
>
>When ZEROCONF networks or hosts which are configured using ZEROCONF
>protocols are connected to the big 'I' internet, they should not
>automatically become vulnerable to new security threats.
>
>This WG will produce two documents. The first describes the
>requirements for the configuration (and security) services, defaults,
>and mechanisms a node needs to fully participate on ZEROCONF networks
>and/or configured networks. The second, which follows the first, will
>detail a 'profile' specifying which standards specifically satisfy
>ZEROCONF requirements.
>
>The WG will not engage in any new protocol work. If there is no
>existing standard protocol which satisfies ZEROCONF requirements, the
>profile document may specify that a new protocol should be developed or
>recommend a change to an existing standard to apply to the ZEROCONF
>environment.
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Richard Shockey
Shockey Consulting LLC
8045 Big Bend Blvd. Suite 110
St. Louis, MO 63119
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