LYNCH@A.ISI.EDU (Dan Lynch) (02/07/88)
Well, It looks like there is a chance that we will get to have some official testing labs for the TCP/IP protocols suite if those interested in seeing it come about read the following information carefully and supply their comments to the appropriate parties named below. It is important that users and vendors make their desires known to those who are empowered to establish this testing program. We all know it is " bit late in coming" but as TCP/IP spreads even farther into the world it is important to many that those implementations be wrung out against some test before the products are brought to market. I have extracted the following from the Federal Register (what ever that is!) and urge you to "vote". Dan Federal Register/ Vol 52, No. 232/ Thursday December 3, 1987 National Bureau of Standards (Docket No. 71156-7256) National Voluntary Laboratory Accreditation Program: Defense Department Communications Protocols AGENCY: National Bureau of Standards, Commerce. Action: Notice: Request for Comments SUMMARY: The National Bureau of Standards (NBS) has received a request to establish a laboratory accreditation program under the procedures of the National Voluntary Accreditation Program (NVLAP) (15 CFR Part 7). In a letter dated October 27, 1987, the Defense Communications Agency (DCA) Defense Communications Engineering Center requests NBS to establish a program to accredit laboratories that test the computer industry's implementations of communications protocols used by the Department of Defense. A copy of the DCA letter is appended to this notice. Announcement of this request and of the NBS request for comments with respect to the need for this program is being made under para 7.13(d) of the referenced procedures. DATE: Comments should be received at the addresses below on or before February 1, 1988. (They will still take comments, no sweat...) ADDRESSES: Persons desiring to comment on the need for such a program are invited to submit their comments in writing to Captain Steven Skipper, DCEC, Code R620, 1860 Wiehle Avenue, Reston, Va. 22090. A copy of such comments should be sent to the Associate Director for Industry and Standards, National Bureau of Standards, ADMIN A603, Gaithersburg, Md. 20899. For Further Information Contact: Harvey W. Berger, Manager Laboratory Accreditation, National Bureau of Standards, ADMIN A527, Gaithersburg, Md. 20899 (301) 975-4017. Supplementary Information: NVLAP Accreditation NVLAP is a voluntary system for accrediting laboratories found competent to perform specific testing operations. Competence is defined as a laboratories ability to meet the NVLAP criteria and technical requirements of the test methods for which it seeks accreditation. NVLAP accreditation does not confer or imply certification of products or test date. Scope of LAP The scope of this program is set forth in the [un]appended letter from the Defense Communications Agency (DCA). The program will address (A) Defense Data Network (DDN) X.25 Link and Network Layer protocols as specified in the DCA DDN X.25 Host Interface Specification; (B) the five DoD packet switching High Level protocols (HLP): (1) Internet Protocol (IP), MIL_STD 1777; (2) Transmission Control Protocol (TCP), MIL-STD 1778; (3) File Transfer Protocol (FTP), MIL-STD 1780; (4) Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), MIL-STD 1781; and (5) TELNET, MIL-STD 1782, and (C) the AUTODIN Mode I protocol testing. Laboratories may be accredited for testing one or more of the protocol types. Procedures Following Receipt of Comments: After 60 days comment period, DCA will evaluate all comments pertaining to the need for the proposed program. Upon completion of that evaluation and further consultation with NBS, interested persons (those who submit comments or request to be placed on the NVLAP mailing list) will be notified of the decision by the Director of NBS whether NBS will proceed with the development of this program. NBS plans to coordinate this matter with DCA. Documents in Public Record All comments in response to this notice will be made part of the public record and will be available for inspection and copying at the NBS NVLAP office. Administration Building, Room A531. Gathersburg, Maryland. -------