Chargen: Character Generator Process
A standard test service that generates and sends character data
Postel, J., "Character Generator Process", RFC 429, DOI 10.17487/RFC0429, December 1972, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc429>.
@misc{rfc429,
series = {Request for Comments},
number = 429,
howpublished = {RFC 429},
publisher = {RFC Editor},
doi = {10.17487/RFC0429},
url = {https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc429},
author = {J. Postel},
title = {{Character Generator Process}},
pagetotal = 1,
year = 1972,
month = dec,
} RFC text
ARPA Network Information Center
Stanford Research Institute
Menlo Park, California 94025
NWG/RFC #429 Jonathan B. Postel (UCLA-NMC)
NIC #13281 12-DEC-72
Character Generator Process
I hereby propose that there be a standard process implemented on
whatever hosts desire which generates character data with out any
regard to input. In some sense the process is the converse of the
discard process [RFC 348]. Many hosts have an existing terminal
testing program [e.g. TTYTST] which would suit this function
adequately.
This Character Generator process would listen for a request for
connection and execute the Initial Connection Protocol (ICP) as
specified in NIC 7104 the "Current Network Protocols" notebook. Upon
completion of the ICP the Character Generator process would begin to
send characters into the network as buffer space is made available .
The Character Generator process is terminated by closing the
connections.
[ This RFC was put into machine readable form for entry ]
[ into the online RFC archives by BBN Corp. under the ]
[ direction of Alex McKenzie. 1/97 ]
AI ELI5
On this page
§1The Character Generator Service
This RFC proposes a standard Character Generator process (often called Chargen) that any host willing to provide it can implement. The service generates character data without any regard to input, making it the logical opposite of the Discard process described in RFC 348. Many hosts already had existing terminal testing programs (such as TTYTST) that could implement this function adequately.
A simple service on a computer that just sends characters for you to test if your connection works.
§2How Chargen Works
When a client requests a connection to the Character Generator, the process listens for the incoming connection and executes the Initial Connection Protocol (ICP) as specified in the Current Network Protocols notebook. Upon completion of the ICP, the Character Generator begins to send characters into the network as buffer space is made available.
The process continues sending characters until the client closes the connection. This makes it easy for terminals and programs to test whether they can properly receive data over the network.
When someone connects to Chargen, it says hello in the network way, then keeps sending letters until they disconnect.
§3Testing and Diagnostics
The Chargen service is useful for testing terminal performance, checking network connectivity, validating the correctness of network implementations, and diagnosing problems with connections. Because it is a simple, standard service that generates data in a predictable way, developers and network administrators can use it to verify that their systems can handle incoming data streams correctly.
Chargen is good for testing if your computer can receive data properly and if your connection to the network is working.