stewart@xyplex.com (Bob Stewart) (07/07/90)
Hi, This is to attempt the creation of an IETF working group (WG) to define an experimental MIB for character-oriented terminal devices. See the attached proposed, preliminary WG charter for more information. It contains a very aggressive schedule to be kicked off with an organizational meeting in Vancouver. The mailing list is new and may not be in working order until Monday, so go easy on our helpful friends at Digital. Bob Stewart Proposed Chair, IETF Character MIB WG -------- Character MIB Working Group Chairman: Bob Stewart/Xyplex rlstewart@eng.xyplex.com First Meeting: August, 1990 Mailing Lists: General discussion: char-mib@decwrl.dec.com To subscribe: char-mib-request@decwrl.dec.com Description of Working Group: The Character MIB working group is chartered to define an experimental MIB for character stream ports that attach to such devices as terminals and printers. The working group must first decide what it covers and what terminology to use. The initial thought was to handle terminals for terminal servers. This directly generalizes to terminals on any host. From there, it is a relatively close step to include printers, both serial and parallel. It also seems reasonable to go beyond ASCII terminals and include others, such as 3270. All of this results in the suggestion that the topic is character stream ports. An important model to define is how character ports relate to network interfaces. Some (a minority) terminal ports can easily become network interfaces by running SLIP, and may slip between those states. Given the basic models, the group must select a set of common objects of interest and use to a network manager responsible for character devices Since the goal is an experimental MIB, it may be possible to agree on a document in 3 to 9 months. Most of the group's business can be conducted over the Internet through email. Goals and Milestones: 1. July 1990: mailing list discussion of charter and collection of concerns. 2. August 1990: First IETF Meeting: discussion and final approval of charter; discussion and agreement on models and terminology. Make writing assignments. 3. November 1990: First draft document, discussion, additional drafts, special meeting? 4. December 1990: Second IETF Meeting: review latest draft and if OK, give to IESG for publication as RFC.