Jon,
More generally, SMTP is a point-to-point protocol. Any attempt to
assign a level of trustworthiness to an MTA requires a chain-of-trust
model back to the originator.
JK> I don't really want to get involved in a *trust* argument, but this
is
JK> patently untrue. This end might be achieved out-of-band.
This entire effort is about development of a trust mechanism, so it
will be rather crippling to avoid discussing the topic. "This end
might be achieved out-of-band."
JK> No, I was only challenging your assertion that a "chain of trust" is the
JK> *only* possible model.
a mechanism that is based on smtp is a channel mechanism. a mechanism
that has an arbitrary smtp server needing to trust information
provided from the origin is, by definition, a chain of trust model.
Also, I do not understand what you mean by
did I miss your clarification of that sentence?
JK> "focus" on this to the exclusion of anything else.
This goes into the issue I raised about the dangers of not focusing.
JK> No. I meant that focussing on HELO only, to the exclusion of anything else,
JK> would be bad. I gather that this isn't your position (any longer)?
the charter calls for making some focusing decisions. good project
management for dealing with complex problems in a timely fashion also
call for making focusing decisions.
d/
--
Dave Crocker <mailto:dcrocker(_at_)brandenburg(_dot_)com>
Brandenburg InternetWorking <http://www.brandenburg.com>
Sunnyvale, CA USA <tel:+1.408.246.8253>, <fax:+1.866.358.5301>