Network Working Group S. Hollenbeck
Internet-Draft VeriSign, Inc.
Expires: April 21, 2003 October 21, 2002
Guidelines for Extending the Extensible Provisioning Protocol
draft-ietf-provreg-epp-ext-00.txt
Status of this Memo
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Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2002). All Rights Reserved.
Abstract
The Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP) is an application layer
client-server protocol for the provisioning and management of objects
stored in a shared central repository. Specified in XML, the
protocol defines generic object management operations and an
extensible framework that maps protocol operations to objects. This
document presents guidelines for use of EPP's extension mechanisms to
define new features and object management capabilities.
Conventions Used In This Document
The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT",
"SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this
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document are to be interpreted as described in RFC 2119 [1].
In examples, "C:" represents lines sent by a protocol client and "S:"
represents lines returned by a protocol server. Indentation and
white space in examples is provided only to illustrate element
relationships and is not a REQUIRED feature of this specification.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
1.1 Changes from Previous Version . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3
2. Principles of Protocol Extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.1 Documenting Extensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.2 Identifying Extensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2.1 Standards Track Extensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.2.2 Other Extensions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.3 Extension Announcement and Selection . . . . . . . . . . . . 5
2.4 Protocol-level Extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
2.5 Object-level Extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.6 Command-Response Extension . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.7 Authentication Information Extension . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
3. Internationalization Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
4. IANA Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
5. Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
6. Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
Normative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13
Informative References . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Author's Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14
Full Copyright Statement . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15
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1. Introduction
The Extensible Provisioning Protocol (EPP, [2]) was originally
designed to provide a standard Internet domain name registration
protocol for use between Internet domain name registrars and domain
name registries. However, specific design decisions were made to
ensure that the protocol could also be used in other provisioning
environments. Specifically:
o Extensibility has been a design goal from the very beginning. EPP
is represented in the Extensible Markup Language (XML, [3]), and
is specified in XML Schema ([4] and [5]) with XML namespaces [6]
used to identify protocol grammars.
o The EPP core protocol specification describes general protocol
functions, not objects to be managed by the protocol. Managed
object definitions, such as the mapping for Internet domain names
[10] (itself a protocol extension), are loosely coupled to the
core specification.
o A concentrated effort was made to separate required minimum
protocol functionality from object management operating logic.
o Several extension mechanisms were included to allow designers to
add new features or to customize existing features for different
operating environments.
This document describes EPP's extensibility features in detail and
provides guidelines for their use. Though written specifically for
protocol designers considering EPP as the solution to a provisioning
problem, anyone interested in using XML to represent IETF protocols
might find these guidelines useful.
XML is case sensitive. Unless stated otherwise, XML instances and
examples provided in this document MUST be interpreted in the
character case presented to develop a conforming implementation.
1.1 Changes from Previous Version
(Note to RFC editor: please remove this section completely before
publication as an RFC.)
None, this is the initial version.
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2. Principles of Protocol Extension
The EPP extension model is based on the XML representation for a
wildcard schema component using an <any> element information item (as
described in section 3.10.2 of [4]) and XML namespaces [6]. This
section provides guidelines for the development of protocol
extensions and describes the extension model in detail.
Extending a protocol implies the addition of features without
changing the protocol itself. In EPP that means that an extension
MUST NOT alter an existing protocol schema as such changes result in
new versions of an existing schema, not extensions of an existing
schema. For example, a designer MUST NOT add new elements to an
existing schema and call the result an "extension" of the protocol.
The result is a new, non-backwards-compatible version of an existing
schema. Extensions MUST adhere to the principles described in this
section to be considered valid protocol extensions.
EPP extensions MUST be specified in XML. This ensures that parsers
capable of processing EPP structures will also be capable of
processing EPP extensions. Guidelines for the use of XML in IETF
protocols (thus good information for extension designers) can be
found in RFC XXXX [11].
A designer MUST remember that extensions themselves MAY also be
extensible. A good chain of extensions is one in which the protocol
schemas evolve from general functionality to more specific (perhaps
even more limited) functionality.
2.1 Documenting Extensions
The EPP core specification [2] has an appendix that contains a
suggested outline to document protocol extensions. Designers are
free to use this template or any other format as they see fit, but
the extension document SHOULD at a minimum address all of the topics
listed in the template.
Extension designers need to consider the intended audience and
consumers of their extensions. Extensions MAY be documented as
Internet-Draft and RFC documents if the designer is facing
requirements for coordination, interoperability, and broad
distribution, though the intended maturity level (informational,
proposed standard, etc.) largely depends on what is being extended
and the amount of general interest in the extension. An extension to
a standards-track specification with broad interest might well be a
candidate for standards track publication, whereas an extension to a
standards track specification with limited interest might be better
suited for informational publication.
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Extensions need not be published as Internet-Draft or RFC documents
if they are intended for operation in a closed environment or are
otherwise intended for a limited audience. In such cases extensions
MAY be documented in a file and structural format that is appropriate
for the intended audience.
2.2 Identifying Extensions
An EPP extension is uniquely identified by a Uniform Resource
Identifier (URI, defined in RFC 2396 [7]). The URI used to identify
the extension MUST also be used to identify the XML namespace
associated with the extension. Any valid URI MAY be used to identify
an EPP extension, though the selection of a URI form (Uniform
Resource Locator (URL) vs. Uniform Resource Name (URN), hierarchical
vs. relative, etc.) SHOULD depend on factors such as organizational
policies on change control and a balance between locating resources
and requirements for persistence. An extension namespace MAY
describe multiple extension mechanisms, such as definition of new
protocol features, objects, or elements, within the schema used to
define the namespace.
The following are sample extension-identifying URIs:
urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:foo-ext1
http://custom/obj1ext-1.0
Extension designers MAY include version information in the URI used
to identify an extension. If version information is included in the
URI, the URI itself will need to change as the extension is revised
or updated.
2.2.1 Standards Track Extensions
URIs for extensions intended for IETF standards track use MUST
conform to the URN syntax specifications and registration procedures
described in [8].
2.2.2 Other Extensions
URIs for extensions that are not intended for IETF standards track
use MUST conform to the URI syntax specifications described in RFC
2396.
2.3 Extension Announcement and Selection
An EPP server MUST announce extensions that are available for client
use as part of a <greeting> element that is sent to a client before
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the client establishes an interactive session with the server. The
<greeting> element contains zero or more <svcExtension> elements
that, if present, contain a URI identifying an available extension:
S:<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?>
S:<epp xmlns="urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:epp-1.0"
S: xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
S: xsi:schemaLocation="urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:epp-1.0
S: epp-1.0.xsd">
S: <greeting>
S: <svID>Example EPP server epp.example.tld</svID>
S: <svDate>2000-06-08T22:00:00.0Z</svDate>
S: <svcMenu>
S: <version>1.0</version>
S: <lang>en</lang>
S: <lang>fr</lang>
S: <objURI>urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:obj1</objURI>
S: <objURI>urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:obj2</objURI>
S: <objURI>urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:obj3</objURI>
S: <svcExtension>
S: <extURI>urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:foo-ext1</extURI>
S: <extURI>http://custom/obj1ext-1.0</extURI>
S: </svcExtension>
S: </svcMenu>
S: <dcp>
S: <access><all/></access>
S: <statement>
S: <purpose><admin/><prov/></purpose>
S: <recipient><ours/><public/></recipient>
S: <retention><stated/></retention>
S: </statement>
S: </dcp>
S: </greeting>
S:</epp>
In the example above, the server is announcing the availability of
two extensions:
urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:foo-ext1, and
http://custom/obj1ext-1.0
An EPP client MUST establish a session with an EPP server using the
EPP <login> command before attempting to use any standard commands or
extensions. The <login> command contains zero or more <svcExtension>
elements that, if present, contain a URI identifying an available
extension that the client wishes to use during the course of the
session:
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C:<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8" standalone="no"?>
C:<epp xmlns="urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:epp-1.0"
C: xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance"
C: xsi:schemaLocation="urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:epp-1.0
C: epp-1.0.xsd">
C: <command>
C: <login>
C: <clID>ClientX</clID>
C: <pw>foo-BAR2</pw>
C: <newPW>bar-FOO2</newPW>
C: <options>
C: <version>1.0</version>
C: <lang>en</lang>
C: </options>
C: <svcs>
C: <objURI>urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:obj1</objURI>
C: <objURI>urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:obj2</objURI>
C: <objURI>urn:ietf:params:xml:ns:obj3</objURI>
C: <svcExtension>
C: <extURI>http://custom/obj1ext-1.0</extURI>
C: </svcExtension>
C: </svcs>
C: </login>
C: <clTRID>ABC-12345</clTRID>
C: </command>
C:</epp>
In the example above, the client indicates that it wishes to use an
extension identified by the http://custom/obj1ext-1.0 URI during the
session established upon successful completion of the <login>
command.
An EPP server MUST announce all extensions that are publicly
available for client use. An EPP client MUST NOT request an
extension that has not been announced by the server. An EPP server
MAY restrict a client's ability to select an extension based on a
client's identity and authorizations granted by the server operator.
2.4 Protocol-level Extension
EPP defines a set of structures for client-server command-response
interaction, but additional structures MAY be added to the protocol.
New structure definition is a matter of defining a schema for the
structures that defines needed functionality and assigning a URI to
uniquely identify the object namespace and schema. Specific
protocol-level extension mechanisms are described in section 2.7.1 of
the EPP core protocol specification [2].
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2.5 Object-level Extension
EPP commands and responses do not contain attributes that are
specific to any managed object. Every command and response MUST
contain elements bound to an object namespace. Object definition is
a matter of defining a schema for the object that defines
functionality for each needed command and associated response, and
assigning a URI to uniquely identify the object namespace and schema.
Specific object-level extension mechanisms are described in section
2.7.2 of the EPP core protocol specification [2].
2.6 Command-Response Extension
EPP command and response structures defined in existing object
mappings MAY also be extended. For example, an object mapping that
describes general functionality for the provisioning of Internet
domain names can be extended to included additional command and
response elements needed for the provisioning of domain names that
represent E.164 telephone numbers [12]. Specific command-response
extension mechanisms are described in section 2.7.1 of the EPP core
protocol specification [2].
2.7 Authentication Information Extension
Some EPP object mappings, such as the Internet domain name mapping
[10], include elements to associate authentication information (such
as a password) with an object. The schema for any object mapping
that supports authentication information SHOULD be flexible enough to
specify multiple forms of authentication information. With XML
Schema ([4] and [5]), this can be accomplished by offering an element
choice that includes an <any> element information item:
<any namespace="##other"/>
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3. Internationalization Considerations
EPP is represented in XML [3], which requires conforming parsers to
recognize both UTF-8 [13] and UTF-16 [14]; support for other
character encodings is also possible. EPP extensions MUST observe
both the Internationalization Considerations described in the EPP
core protocol specification [2] and IETF policy on the use of
character sets and languages described in RFC 2277 [9].
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4. IANA Considerations
This memo has no direct impact on the IANA. Guidelines for
extensions that require IANA action are described in Section 2.2.1.
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5. Security Considerations
EPP extensions inherit the security services of the protocol
structure that's being extended. For example, an extension of an
object mapping inherits all of the security services of the object
mapping. Extensions MAY specify additional security services, such
as services for peer entity authentication, confidentiality, data
integrity, authorization, access control, or non-repudiation.
Extensions MUST NOT mandate removal of security services available in
the protocol structure being extended.
Protocol designers developing EPP extensions need to be aware of the
security threats to be faced in their intended operating environment
so that appropriate security services can be provided. Guidelines
for designers to consider and suggestions for writing an appropriate
Security Considerations section can be found in RFC XXXX [15].
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6. Acknowledgements
The author would like to thank the following people who have provided
significant contributions to the development of this document:
TBD.
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Normative References
[1] Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate Requirement
Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, March 1997.
[2] Hollenbeck, S., "Extensible Provisioning Protocol", draft-ietf-
provreg-epp-07 (work in progress), August 2002.
[3] Bray, T., Paoli, J., Sperberg-McQueen, C. and E. Maler,
"Extensible Markup Language (XML) 1.0 (2nd ed)", W3C REC-xml,
October 2000, <http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-xml>.
[4] Thompson, H., Beech, D., Maloney, M. and N. Mendelsohn, "XML
Schema Part 1: Structures", W3C REC-xmlschema-1, May 2001,
<http://www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-1/>.
[5] Biron, P. and A. Malhotra, "XML Schema Part 2: Datatypes", W3C
REC-xmlschema-2, May 2001, <http://www.w3.org/TR/xmlschema-2/>.
[6] Bray, T., Hollander, D. and A. Layman, "Namespaces in XML", W3C
REC-xml-names, January 1999, <http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-xml-
names>.
[7] Berners-Lee, T., Fielding, R. and L. Masinter, "Uniform Resource
Identifiers (URI): Generic Syntax", RFC 2396, August 1998.
[8] Mealling, M., "The IETF XML Registry", draft-mealling-iana-
xmlns-registry-04 (work in progress), July 2002.
[9] Alvestrand, H., "IETF Policy on Character Sets and Languages",
BCP 18, RFC 2277, January 1998.
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Informative References
[10] Hollenbeck, S., "Extensible Provisioning Protocol Domain Name
Mapping", draft-ietf-provreg-epp-domain-05 (work in progress),
August 2002.
[11] Rose, M., Masinter, L. and S. Hollenbeck, "Guidelines for The
Use of XML within IETF Protocols", draft-hollenbeck-ietf-xml-
guidelines-06 (work in progress), August 2002.
[12] Hollenbeck, S., "Extensible Provisioning Protocol E.164 Number
Mapping", draft-ietf-enum-epp-e164-01 (work in progress),
August 2002.
[13] Yergeau, F., "UTF-8, a transformation format of ISO 10646", RFC
2279, January 1998.
[14] Hoffman, P. and F. Yergeau, "UTF-16, an encoding of ISO 10646",
RFC 2781, February 2000.
[15] Rescorla, E. and B. Korver, "Guidelines for Writing RFC Text on
Security Considerations", draft-iab-sec-cons-01 (work in
progress), October 2002.
Author's Address
Scott Hollenbeck
VeriSign, Inc.
21345 Ridgetop Circle
Dulles, VA 20166-6503
US
EMail: shollenbeck@verisign.com
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