RFC 1101 (rfc1101) - Page 1 of 14
DNS encoding of network names and other types
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group P. Mockapetris
Request for Comments: 1101 ISI
Updates: RFCs 1034, 1035 April 1989
DNS Encoding of Network Names and Other Types
1. STATUS OF THIS MEMO
This RFC proposes two extensions to the Domain Name System:
- A specific method for entering and retrieving RRs which map
between network names and numbers.
- Ideas for a general method for describing mappings between
arbitrary identifiers and numbers.
The method for mapping between network names and addresses is a
proposed standard, the ideas for a general method are experimental.
This RFC assumes that the reader is familiar with the DNS [RFC 1034,
RFC 1035] and its use. The data shown is for pedagogical use and
does not necessarily reflect the real Internet.
Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
2. INTRODUCTION
The DNS is extensible and can be used for a virtually unlimited
number of data types, name spaces, etc. New type definitions are
occasionally necessary as are revisions or deletions of old types
(e.g., MX replacement of MD and MF [RFC 974]), and changes described
in [RFC 973]. This RFC describes changes due to the general need to
map between identifiers and values, and a specific need for network
name support.
Users wish to be able to use the DNS to map between network names and
numbers. This need is the only capability found in HOSTS.TXT which
is not available from the DNS. In designing a method to do this,
there were two major areas of concern:
- Several tradeoffs involving control of network names, the
syntax of network names, backward compatibility, etc.
- A desire to create a method which would be sufficiently
general to set a good precedent for future mappings,
for example, between TCP-port names and numbers,
Mockapetris
