As part of the issue 16 cleanup (changing informal statements
about requirements to more formal, 2119-like, language), the
critical text about receiver responsibility for messages they
accepted was changed from
RFC 2821:
(from just below the figure)
The responsibility of an SMTP client is to transfer mail
messages to one or more SMTP servers, or report its
failure to do so.
(mid-section)
In either case, a formal handoff of responsibility for
the message occurs: the protocol requires that a server
accept responsibility for either delivering a message or
properly reporting the failure to do so.
2821bis-03:
The responsibility of an SMTP client is to transfer mail
messages to one or more SMTP servers, or report its
failure to do so.
In either case, a formal handoff of responsibility for
the message occurs: the protocol requires that a server
MUST accept responsibility for either delivering a
message or properly reporting the failure to do so.
I think this is a simple rewording of a clear statement. If
people believe otherwise, the text should probably just be
reverted (unless more drastic changes are implemented as the
result of issue 25 (seriously restricting NDN messages. I think
the apparent (but IMO not actual) redundancy between the
relevant two sentences is helpful, but would appreciate comments
on that subject if anyone disagrees.
john