On Thursday, May 01, 2003 10:01 AM, Hallam-Baker, Phillip
[SMTP:pbaker(_at_)verisign(_dot_)com] wrote:
8<...>8
...I would no more expect to be able to know the smtp spec from the rfcs
than I would expect to understand theology from reading the bible alone.
8<...>8
I am not sure what you mean here.
The 'specification' as an RFC is a basis document not a Bible.
Interoperability is completely separate from protocol conformance, e.g. C
works with A but not with B, all are compliant with the 'specifications' when
tested against the reference implementation of the PICS pro forma. One can
implement or test an interoperable system based upon the protocol
specification. Also, a pro forma protocol implementation conformance criteria
is what any vendor (or standards body) should use BEFORE rolling out an
implementation. That being said, interoperability is not dependent on the
complete set of described protocol semantics the so-called PICS can be adapted
by an implementor to concern only the most relevant aspects for
interoperability in the operational environment, ignoring others and/or
extending them.
-e
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