Principles of Internet Host Configuration
RFC 5505
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RFC - Informational
(May 2009; No errata)
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Last updated |
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2013-03-02
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IAB
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plain text
pdf
html
bibtex
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IAB state
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(None)
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Consensus Boilerplate |
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Unknown
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RFC Editor Note |
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Network Working Group B. Aboba
Request for Comments: 5505 D. Thaler
Category: Informational L. Andersson
S. Cheshire
Internet Architecture Board
May 2009
Principles of Internet Host Configuration
Status of This Memo
This memo provides information for the Internet community. It does
not specify an Internet standard of any kind. Distribution of this
memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (c) 2009 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
document authors. All rights reserved.
This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
Provisions Relating to IETF Documents in effect on the date of
publication of this document (http://trustee.ietf.org/license-info).
Please review these documents carefully, as they describe your rights
and restrictions with respect to this document.
Abstract
This document describes principles of Internet host configuration.
It covers issues relating to configuration of Internet-layer
parameters, as well as parameters affecting higher-layer protocols.
Aboba, et al. Informational [Page 1]
RFC 5505 Principles of Internet Host Configuration May 2009
Table of Contents
1. Introduction ....................................................3
1.1. Terminology ................................................3
1.2. Internet Host Configuration ................................4
1.2.1. Internet-Layer Configuration ........................4
1.2.2. Higher-Layer Configuration ..........................6
2. Principles ......................................................7
2.1. Minimize Configuration .....................................7
2.2. Less Is More ...............................................7
2.3. Minimize Diversity .........................................8
2.4. Lower-Layer Independence ...................................9
2.5. Configuration Is Not Access Control .......................11
3. Additional Discussion ..........................................12
3.1. Reliance on General-Purpose Mechanisms ....................12
3.2. Relationship between IP Configuration and Service
Discovery .................................................13
3.2.1. Fate Sharing .......................................14
3.3. Discovering Names versus Addresses ........................15
3.4. Dual-Stack Issues .........................................15
3.5. Relationship between Per-Interface and Per-Host
Configuration .............................................16
4. Security Considerations ........................................17
4.1. Configuration Authentication ..............................18
5. Informative References .........................................19
Appendix A. Acknowledgments .......................................24
Appendix B. IAB Members at the Time of This Writing ...............24
Aboba, et al. Informational [Page 2]
RFC 5505 Principles of Internet Host Configuration May 2009
1. Introduction
This document describes principles of Internet host [STD3]
configuration. It covers issues relating to configuration of
Internet-layer parameters, as well as parameters affecting higher-
layer protocols.
In recent years, a number of architectural questions have arisen, for
which we provide guidance to protocol developers:
o The protocol layers and general approaches that are most
appropriate for configuration of various parameters.
o The relationship between parameter configuration and service
discovery.
o The relationship between per-interface and per-host configuration.
o The relationship between network access authentication and host
configuration.
o The desirability of supporting self-configuration of parameters or
avoiding parameter configuration altogether.
o The role of link-layer protocols and tunneling protocols in
Internet host configuration.
The role of the link-layer and tunneling protocols is particularly
important, since it can affect the properties of a link as seen by
higher layers (for example, whether privacy extensions [RFC4941] are
available to applications).
1.1. Terminology
link
A communication facility or medium over which nodes can
communicate at the link layer, i.e., the layer immediately below
IP. Examples are Ethernets (simple or bridged), Point-to-Point
Protocol (PPP) links, X.25, Frame Relay, or ATM networks as well
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