RFC 2325 INFORMATIONAL APRIL FOOLS · NETWORK MANAGEMENT · MIB

Coffee MIB: Definitions of Managed Objects for Drip-Type Heated Beverage Hardware Devices using SMIv2

An April 1st joke: SNMP objects for monitoring a drip coffee pot, complete with pot type, level and temperature.

On rfc-editor.org ↗
PUBLISHED
April 1998
AUTHORS
M. Slavitch
STREAM
INDEPENDENT
MODULE LOCATION
transmission 132
BREW TYPES
4: automatic-drip, percolator, french-press, espresso
STATUS VALUES
5: off, brewing, holding, other, waiting
NAME LENGTH
0 to 255 characters
TEMPERATURE UNIT
degrees Centigrade
DOI
10.17487/RFC2325
ERRATA
Reported errata

RFC text

Contents
Original text · RFC Editor View on rfc-editor.org ↗
Network Working Group                                       M. Slavitch
Request for Comments: 2325                      Loran Technologies Inc.
Category: Informational                                    1 April 1998


      Definitions of Managed Objects for Drip-Type Heated Beverage
                      Hardware Devices using SMIv2

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) The Internet Society (1998).  All Rights Reserved.

Table of Contents

   1. Introduction ...............................................    1
   2. The SNMPv2 Network Management Framework ....................    1
   2.1 Object Definitions ........................................    2
   3. Overview ...................................................    2
   3.1 Relationship to Interface MIB .............................    2
   4. Definitions ................................................    3
   5. Acknowledgements ...........................................    6
   6. References .................................................    6
   7. Security Considerations ....................................    6
   8. Author's Address ...........................................    7
   9. Full Copyright Statement ...................................    8

1.  Introduction

   This memo defines an extension to the Management Information Base
   (MIB) for use with network management protocols in the Internet
   community.  In particular, it defines objects for the management of
   coffee-brewing and maintenance devices.

2.  The SNMPv2 Network Management Framework

   The SNMPv2 Network Management Framework consists of four major
   components.  They are:

      o    RFC 1442 [1] which defines the SMI, the mechanisms used for
           describing and naming objects for the purpose of management.

      o    STD 17, RFC 1213 [2] defines MIB-II, the core set of managed
           objects for the Internet suite of protocols.

      o    RFC 1445 [3] which defines the administrative and other
           architectural aspects of the framework.

      o    RFC 1448 [4] which defines the protocol used for network
           access to managed objects.

   The Framework permits new objects to be defined for the purpose of
   experimentation and evaluation.

2.1.  Object Definitions

   Managed objects are accessed via a virtual information store, termed
   the Management Information Base or MIB.  Objects in the MIB are
   defined using the subset of Abstract Syntax Notation One (ASN.1)
   defined in the SMI.  In particular, each object object type is named
   by an OBJECT IDENTIFIER, an administratively assigned name.  The
   object type together with an object instance serves to uniquely
   identify a specific instantiation of the object.  For human
   convenience, we often use a textual string, termed the descriptor, to
   refer to the object type.

3.  Overview

   The COFFEE POT MIB applies to managed devices that brew, store, and
   deliver heated coffee beverages. The COFFEE POT MIB is mandatory for
   all systems that have such a hardware port supporting services
   managed through some other MIB.

   The MIB contains objects that relate to physical connections,
   configuration, storage levels, availabilty, quality of service, and
   availability.

3.1.  Relationship to Interface MIB

   The COFFEE-POT-MIB is one of many MIBs designed for layered use as
   described in the Interface MIB [5].  In most implementations where it
   is present, it will be in the lowest interface sublayer, that is, the
   COFFEE-POT-MIB represents the physical layer, providing service to
   higher layers such as the Character MIB [6].

   Although it is unlikely that a coffee port will actually be used as a
   network interface, which is the intent of the Interface MIB, the
   COFFEE-POT-MIB is closely connected to the Character MIB, which can
   share hardware interfaces with network operation, and relate to the
   RS-232 MIB [7].

   The Interface MIB's ifTestTable and ifRcvAddressTable are not
   relevant to the COFFEE-POT-MIB.

   The COFFEE-POT-MIB is relevant for ifType values sip(31), and perhaps
   others.

   The COFFEE-POT-MIB requires the conformance groups ifGeneralGroup,
   and ifFixedLengthGroup.

   Usefulness of error counters in this MIB depends on the octet
   counters in ifFixedLengthGroup.

4.  Definitions

   COFFEE-POT-MIB DEFINITIONS ::= BEGIN

   IMPORTS
       MODULE-IDENTITY, OBJECT-TYPE, NOTIFICATION-TYPE,
       TimeStamp, TimeInterval,
       Counter32, Integer32
           FROM SNMPv2-SMI
       InterfaceIndex
           FROM IF-MIB
       transmission
           FROM RFC1213-MIB
       MODULE-COMPLIANCE, OBJECT-GROUP
           FROM SNMPv2-CONF;

   coffee MODULE-IDENTITY
        LAST-UPDATED "9803231700Z"
        ORGANIZATION "Networked Appliance Management Working Group"

        CONTACT-INFO
               "        Michael Slavitch
                        Loran Technologies,
                        955 Green Valley Crescent
                        Ottawa, Ontario Canada K2A 0B6

                   Tel: 613-723-7505
                   Fax: 613-723-7209
                E-mail: slavitch@loran.com"
        DESCRIPTION
               "The MIB Module for coffee vending devices."
       ::= { transmission 132 }

   potName OBJECT-TYPE
        SYNTAX     DisplayString (SIZE (0..255))
        MAX-ACCESS read-only
        STATUS current
        DESCRIPTION
                "The vendor description of the pot under management"
        ::= { coffee 1 }


   potCapacity OBJECT-TYPE
        SYNTAX Integer32
        MAX-ACCESS read-only
        STATUS current
        DESCRIPTION
           "The number of units of beverage supported by this device
            (regardless of its current state) ."
       ::= { coffee 2 }


   potType OBJECT-TYPE
        SYNTAX     INTEGER {
           automatic-drip(1),
           percolator(2),
           french-press(3),
           espresso(4),
           }
        MAX-ACCESS read-write
        STATUS current
        DESCRIPTION
                "The brew type of the coffee pot."
        ::= { coffee 3 }

   potLocation OBJECT-TYPE {
        SYNTAX     DisplayString (SIZE (0..255))
        MAX-ACCESS read-write
        STATUS current
        DESCRIPTION
                "The physical location of the pot in question"
        ::= { coffee 4 }


   potMonitor            OBJECT IDENTIFIER ::= { coffee 6 }


   potOperStatus
        SYNTAX     Integer {
                        off(1),
                        brewing(2),
                        holding(3),
                        other(4),
                        waiting(5)
                        }
        MAX-ACCESS read-only
        STATUS current
        DESCRIPTION
                "The operating status of the pot in question. Note
                 that this is a read-only feature. Current hardware
                 prevents us from changing the port state via SNMP."
        ::= { potMonitor 1 }

    potLevel OBJECT-TYPE
        SYNTAX     Integer32
        MAX-ACCESS read-only
        STATUS current
        DESCRIPTION
                "The number of units of coffee under management. The
                 units of level are defined in potMetric below."
        ::= { potMonitor 2 }

    potMetric  OBJECT-TYPE
        SYNTAX     Integer {
                    espresso(1),
                    demi-tasse(2),
                    cup(3),
                    mug(4),
                    bucket(5)
                    }
        MAX-ACCESS read-only
        STATUS current
        DESCRIPTION
                "The vendor description of the pot under management"
        ::= { potMonitor 3 }


   potStartTime OBJECT-TYPE
       SYNTAX     Integer64
       MAX-ACCESS read-write
       STATUS     current
       DESCRIPTION
               "The time in seconds since Jan 1 1970 to start the pot
                if and only if potOperStatus is waiting(5)"
       ::= { potMonitor 4 }


    lastStartTime OBJECT-TYPE
       SYNTAX     TimeInterval
       MAX-ACCESS read-only
       STATUS     current
       DESCRIPTION

               "The amount of time, in TimeTicks, since the coffee
               making process was initiated."
       ::= { potMonitor 5 }


    potTemperature OBJECT-TYPE
       SYNTAX     Integer32
       UNITS      "degrees Centigrade"
       MAX-ACCESS read-only
       STATUS     current
       DESCRIPTION
               "The ambient temperature of the coffee within the pot"

      ::= { potMonitor 6 }

   END

5.  Acknowledgements

   Networked Appliance Management Working Group (not) of the IETF.

6.  References

   [1] Case, J., McCloghrie, K., Rose, M., and S. Waldbusser, "Structure
       of Management Information for version 2 of the Simple Network
       Management Protocol (SNMPv2)", RFC 1442, April 1993.

   [2] McCloghrie, K., and M. Rose, Editors, "Management Information
       Base for Network Management of TCP/IP-based internets: MIB-II",
       STD 17, RFC 1213, March 1991.

   [3] Galvin, J., and K. McCloghrie, "Administrative Model for version
       2 of the Simple Network Management Protocol (SNMPv2)", RFC 1445,
       April 1993.

   [4] Case, J., McCloghrie, K., Rose, M., and S. Waldbusser, "Protocol
       Operations for version 2 of the Simple Network Management
       Protocol (SNMPv2)", RFC 1448, April 1993.

   [5] McCloghrie, K., and F. Kastenholz, "Evolution of the Interfaces
       Group of MIB-II", RFC 1573, January 1994.

   [6] Valdez, Juan, "Definitions of Columbian Objects for Coffee Pot
       Devices using SMIv2", Columbia, Inc., March 1998.

7.  Security Considerations

   Security issues are not discussed in this memo.

8.  Author's Address

   Michael Slavitch
   Loran Technologies
   955 Green Valley Crescent
   Ottawa, Ontario Canada K2C 3V4

   Phone: 613 723 7505
   EMail: slavitch@loran.com

9.  Full Copyright Statement

   Copyright (C) The Internet Society (1998).  All Rights Reserved.

   This document and translations of it may be copied and furnished to
   others, and derivative works that comment on or otherwise explain it
   or assist in its implementation may be prepared, copied, published
   and distributed, in whole or in part, without restriction of any
   kind, provided that the above copyright notice and this paragraph are
   included on all such copies and derivative works.  However, this
   document itself may not be modified in any way, such as by removing
   the copyright notice or references to the Internet Society or other
   Internet organizations, except as needed for the purpose of
   developing Internet standards in which case the procedures for
   copyrights defined in the Internet Standards process must be
   followed, or as required to translate it into languages other than
   English.

   The limited permissions granted above are perpetual and will not be
   revoked by the Internet Society or its successors or assigns.

   This document and the information contained herein is provided on an
   "AS IS" basis and THE INTERNET SOCIETY AND THE INTERNET ENGINEERING
   TASK FORCE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING
   BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTY THAT THE USE OF THE INFORMATION
   HEREIN WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY RIGHTS OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF
   MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

AI ELI5

On this page
PROBLEMNetwork management has a MIB for nearly everything, and this joke asks what it would take to manage a coffee machine in the same way.
MECHANISMIt defines a COFFEE-POT-MIB module with objects for the pot's name, capacity, brew type, location, operating status, level, start time and temperature.
THE CATCHIt is an April 1st joke document, dated 1 April 1998. Its acknowledgements even credit a Networked Appliance Management Working Group with the words "(not) of the IETF".

§1A Management Standard for Coffee

RFC 2325 is an April 1st joke document, dated 1 April 1998. It plays the straight man: a deadpan extension to the Management Information Base (MIB) for network management, defining objects for coffee-brewing and maintenance devices. It leans on the real SMIv2 machinery, citing the SNMPv2 framework documents RFC 1442, RFC 1213, RFC 1445 and RFC 1448.

The joke is that it uses very serious network rules to talk about something as silly as a coffee pot.

§2Scope and the Interface MIB

The COFFEE POT MIB applies to managed devices that brew, store and deliver heated coffee beverages, and it is declared mandatory for all systems that have such a hardware port supporting services managed through some other MIB. Its objects cover physical connections, configuration, storage levels, availability and quality of service.

The memo places the module in the Interface MIB's layering, as the lowest interface sublayer, the physical layer, serving higher layers such as the Character MIB. It admits that it is unlikely a coffee port will ever be used as a network interface. It says the module is relevant for ifType value sip(31) and requires the conformance groups ifGeneralGroup and ifFixedLengthGroup.

The note says every machine with a coffee port has to follow it, and then admits nobody will really plug a coffee pot into a network.

§3The Coffee Pot Objects

The module is registered under transmission 132. Its objects are:

  • potName, potCapacity, potType and potLocation: a vendor description, the units of beverage the device supports, the brew type and the physical location.
  • potOperStatus: read-only status. The text notes that current hardware prevents changing the pot state via SNMP.
  • potLevel and potMetric: how much coffee there is, and the unit it is measured in.
  • potStartTime: seconds since Jan 1 1970 to start the pot, used only when the status is waiting.
  • lastStartTime and potTemperature: time since brewing began, and the ambient temperature of the coffee in degrees Centigrade.

Brew types are automatic-drip, percolator, french-press and espresso. Level units run from espresso through demi-tasse, cup and mug up to bucket.

The gauges tell you the pot's name, how big it is, what kind it is, where it sits, whether it is brewing, how full it is, and how warm the coffee is. A bucket is the biggest size.

potOperStatus VALUES (RFC 2325)
  • 1off — The pot is off.
  • 2brewing — The pot is brewing.
  • 3holding — The pot is holding.
  • 4other — Some other state.
  • 5waiting — Waiting; the only state in which potStartTime applies.

§4Security Considerations

The Security Considerations section says only that security issues are not discussed in this memo. Like the rest of the document, it is brief and in character.

Nobody wrote anything about keeping coffee pots safe from pranksters.

§5References