RFC 1 - Host Software

• Status: Unknown
• Published: April 1969
• Stream: Legacy
• Errata: No Errata

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Document Information

• RFC Number: 1
• Title: Host Software
• Authors: Steve Crocker
• Date: April 1969
• Category: Unknown

Abstract

This document is the first RFC in ARPANET history, discussing design considerations for host software. The document covers an overview of IMP (Interface Message Processor) software, requirements for host-to-host software, connection establishment mechanisms, and preliminary experiment plans. This document marks the beginning of the Internet protocol documentation tradition.

Table of Contents

• Introduction
• I. A Summary of the IMP Software
  • Messages
  • Links
  • IMP Transmission and Error Checking
  • Open Questions on the IMP Software
• II. Some Requirements Upon the Host-to-Host Software
  • Simple Use
  • Deep Use
  • Error Checking
• III. The Host Software
  • Establishment of a Connection
  • High Volume Transmission
  • A Summary of Primitives
  • Error Checking
  • Closer Interaction
    • A. Before Link Establishment
    • B. After Link Establishment and Log-in
    • C. After Receipt and Compilation of the DEL program
  • Open Questions
• IV. Initial Experiments
  • Experiment One
  • Experiment Two

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Related Resources

• Official RFC: RFC 1
• DataTracker: RFC 1 Info
• Errata: RFC Editor Errata

Historical Significance

RFC 1 is the first RFC document in Internet history, marking the beginning of the ARPANET and modern Internet protocol documentation tradition. Written by young graduate student Steve Crocker, he humbly termed these documents "Request for Comments", a name that has persisted to this day. This document embodies the collaborative spirit and open attitude of early Internet pioneers.