A minimal duplex connection capability in the top three layers of the OSI reference model

ABSTRACT

A minimal duplex connection capability is described as the ability to open, close, abort, and transfer data through a duplex connection between two application processes. The goal of this paper is to describe a minimal duplex connection capability for the top three layers of the Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) Reference Model that will be appropriate for use by very small Open Systems such as home computers. Such a connection capability would allow these small systems to interconnect with machines of arbitrary size. The approach taken is to use only the parameters on service primitives that are absolutely required to accomplish this connection service. The protocol and services necessary to accomplish such a minimal connection are described for the application, presentation, and session layers of the OSI Reference Model. The existing draft proposals for services and protocol for the session layer provide a basis for this duplex connection service. A minor modification to the session draft proposals is suggested. The services for the presentation and application layer are defined in terms of the tentative service primitives being considered in the international standards efforts. The transparent initial context defined for the presentation layer is used to minimize the work of that layer. The benefits of this minimal duplex connection capability are then discussed from the point of view of very small Open Systems.

REFERENCES

• 1: ISO/TC97/SC16, Information Processing - Open Systems Interconnection - Basic Reference Model, ISO International Standard IS 7498, 1983.
• 2: ISO/TC97/SC16/WG6, "Basic Connection Oriented Session Service Definition", Draft Proposal ISO/DP 8326, March, 1983.
• 3: ISO/TC97/SC16/WG6, "Basic Connection Oriented Session Protocol Specification", Draft Proposal ISO/DP 8327, March, 1983.
• 4: Young, C.E., "A Standard Session Protocol for Open Systems Interconnection (OSI)", Proceedings of the National Computer Conference, 1983, pp. 617-622.
• 5: ISO/TC97/SC16/WG5, "Draft Connection Oriented Presentation Service Definition", Document ISO/TC97/SC16 N1161, June, 1982.
• 6: CCITT Study Group VII, "Study Group VII - Report No. R 19(C) Annex 8", International Telegraph and Telephone Consultative Committee (CCITT), February, 1983.
• 7: Michael F. Dolan, Minimal communication capabilities in the top three layers of the open systems interconnection reference model, 1983
• 8: Rauch-Hindin, W. B., "Upper-Level Network Protocols", Electronic Design, March 3, 1983, pp.180-194.
• 9: ISO/TC97/SC16/WG1, "Data Processing - Open Systems Interconnection - Service Conventions", Document ISO/TC97/SC16 N897, January, 1982.
• 10: ISO/TC97/SC16/N1353, The Structure of the Application Layer Service (Source: Japan), December 15, 1982.
• 11: ISO/TC97/SC16/N1314, Common Application Layer Service Definition (Source: USA), December, 1982.

INDEX TERMS

Primary Classification:
  C. Computer Systems Organization
  C.2 COMPUTER-COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
      C.2.0 General
          Subjects: Open Systems Interconnection reference model (OSI)

General Terms:
Design