jkrey@venera.isi.edu (Joyce K. Reynolds) (11/17/90)
A new Request for Comments is now available from the Network Information Center in the online library at NIC.DDN.MIL. RFC 1191: Title: Path MTU Discovery Author: J. Mogul and S. Deering Mailbox: mogul@decwrl.dec.com, deering@xerox.com Pages: 19 Characters: 47,936 pathname: RFC:RFC1191.TXT This memo describes a technique for dynamically discovering the maximum transmission unit (MTU) of an arbitrary internet path. It specifies a small change to the way routers generate one type of ICMP message. For a path that passes through a router that has not been so changed, this technique might not discover the correct Path MTU, but it will always choose a Path MTU as accurate as, and in many cases more accurate than, the Path MTU that would be chosen by current practice. This RFC specifies a Proposed Standard Protocol for the Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "IAB Official Protocol Standards" for the standardization state and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited. RFCs can be obtained via FTP from NIC.DDN.MIL, with the pathname RFC:RFCnnnn.TXT (where "nnnn" refers to the number of the RFC). Login with FTP, username "anonymous" and password "guest". The NIC also provides an automatic mail service for those sites which cannot use FTP. Address the request to SERVICE@NIC.DDN.MIL and in the subject field of the message indicate the RFC number, as in "Subject: RFC nnnn". RFCs can also be obtained via FTP from NIS.NSF.NET. Using FTP, login with username "anonymous" and password "guest"; then connect to the RFC directory ("cd RFC"). The file name is of the form RFCnnnn.TXT-1 (where "nnnn" refers to the number of the RFC). The NIS also provides an automatic mail service for those sites which cannot use FTP. Address the request to NIS-INFO@NIS.NSF.NET and leave the subject field of the message blank. The first line of the text of the message must be "SEND RFCnnnn.TXT-1", where nnnn is replaced by the RFC number. Requests for special distribution should be addressed to either the author of the RFC in question, or to NIC@NIC.DDN.MIL. Unless specifically noted otherwise on the RFC itself, all RFCs are for unlimited distribution. Submissions for Requests for Comments should be sent to POSTEL@ISI.EDU. Please consult RFC 1111, "Instructions to RFC Authors", for further information. Requests to be added to or deleted from this distribution list should be sent to RFC-REQUEST@NIC.DDN.MIL. Joyce K. Reynolds USC/Information Sciences Institute