RFC 2935 (rfc2935) - Page 2 of 8
Internet Open Trading Protocol (IOTP) HTTP Supplement
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
RFC 2935 IOTP HTTP Supplement September 2000 1. Introduction Internet Open Trading Protocol (IOTP) [RFC 2801] messages will be carried as XML [XML] documents. As such, the goal of mapping to the transport layer is to ensure that the underlying XML documents are carried successfully between the various parties. This document describes that mapping for the Hyper Text Transport Protocol (HTTP), Versions 1.0 and 1.1 [RFCs 1945, 2616]. There may be future documents describing IOTP over email (SMTP), TCP, cable TV, or other transports. The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT", "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this document are to be interpreted as described in [RFC 2119]. 2. HTTP Servers and Clients The structure of IOTP maps on to the structure of HTTP in the following way: The merchant, payment handler, delivery handler, and customer care roles are all represented by HTTP servers. Each may be represented by a separate server, or they may be combined in any combination. The consumer role is represented by an HTTP client. Note: A Merchant, may act in the role of a consumer, for example to deposit electronic cash. In this case the Merchant, as an organization rather than as a role, would need to be supported by an HTTP client. 3. HTTP Net Locations The Net Locations contained within the IOTP specification are all URIs [RFC 2396]. If a secure connection is required or desired a secure channel that both the HTTP Server and Client support MUST be used. Examples of such channels are SSL version 3 or TLS [RFC 2246]. 4. Consumer Clients In most environments, the consumer agent will initially be an HTML browser. However, current browsers do not provide the needed capability to act as an agent for the consumer for an IOTP transaction. This leads to two requirements: Eastlake & Smith Standards Track
