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RFC 628 UNKNOWN META · INFRASTRUCTURE

Status of RFC numbers and a note on pre-assigned journal numbers

Announcement of changes to where and how RFC numbers were assigned on the network

On rfc-editor.org ↗
PUBLISHED
March 1974
AUTHORS
M.L. Keeney
STREAM
Legacy
DOI
10.17487/RFC0628

RFC text

Original text · RFC Editor View on rfc-editor.org ↗ 
Network Working Group                                   Marcia L. Keeney
RFC # 628                                               SRI-ARC
NIC # 22361                                             March 27, 1974


                      Status of RFC Numbers and a
                  Note on Pre-assigned Journal Numbers


This is to announce that RFC numbers can now be obtained on-line through
NLS at OFFICE-1;  they can no longer be obtained on-line at SRI-ARC.
You may still call the NIC to get an RFC number, if you do not wish to
use the on-line facilities.

Also, please note that pre-assigned journal numbers (excepting RFC
numbers) can be used through NLS only on the system (OFFICE-1 or SRI-
ARC) from which they were taken.










       [ This RFC was put into machine readable form for entry ]
       [ into the online RFC archives by Alex McKenzie with    ]
       [ support from GTE, formerly BBN Corp.            11/99 ]

AI ELI5

On this page
PROBLEMThe early network needed a way to assign unique numbers to RFC documents, and procedures for getting these numbers needed to change as systems were reorganized.
MECHANISMRFC numbers can now be obtained online through NLS at OFFICE-1 instead of through SRI-ARC, though telephone requests to the NIC continue to be accepted.
INFRASTRUCTURE REORGANIZATIONThe change moved the distribution mechanism but kept the numbering system operational during the transition between network resource centers.

§1Moving RFC Number Assignment

In the early ARPANET, Request for Comments documents needed unique numbers, assigned by a central authority. This RFC announces that the online system for obtaining RFC numbers has moved from SRI-ARC to a different location: OFFICE-1.

Authors can still obtain numbers online through the new system, or they may continue to telephone the Network Information Center (NIC) directly if they prefer not to use the online facilities.

The place where you could ask for a number online moved to a different computer. Or you could keep calling to ask for one.

§2Pre-assigned Journal Numbers

The RFC also notes that pre-assigned journal numbers (other than RFC numbers themselves) can only be used through NLS on the specific system from which they were taken. This restriction prevents confusion and maintains control over number assignment across the distributed network.

Reserved numbers you get from one computer only work on that same computer, not on others.

§3Getting a Number

Authors had two methods to obtain an RFC number: use the online system at OFFICE-1 through NLS, or call the Network Information Center directly by telephone. Both methods provide the same result: a unique number for a new RFC document. The choice between them is left to the author's preference and access to systems.

You could pick a method that worked for you: the online computer or the phone call.