Internet Info 1993/Internet Info CD-ROM (Walnut Creek) (1993).iso/inet/protocols/osdir-7-87.txt

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OSD DIRECTIVE                                                 2 JUL 1987



                     ASSISTANT SECRETARY OF DEFENSE
           Command, Control, Communications and Intelligence
                      Washington, D.C. 20301-3040

MEMORANDUM FOR SECRETARIES OF THE MILITARY DEPARTMENTS
               CHAIRMAN, JOINT CHIEFS OF STAFF
               DIRECTORS, DEFENSE AGENCIES

SUBJECT:  Open Systems Interconnection Protocols

    There has been recent rapid progress in the specification and
implementation of computer protocols based on the International
Organization for Standardization model for Open Systems Interconnection
(OSI).  The Government OSI Profile (GOSIP), dated 22 April 1987,
contains sufficient information to specify adequately and acquire
interoperable vendor implementations of OSI message handling and file
transfer capabilities.  Therefore, the policy on standardization of
host-to-host protocols for data communications, promulgated by USDR&E
memo of 23 March 1982, is modified as follows.  The OSI message handling
and file transfer protocols, together with their underlying protocols as
defined in GOSIP, are adopted as experimental co-standards to the DoD
protocols which provide similar services (MIL-STDs 1777, 1778, 1780, and
1781).  These OSI protocols may be specified in addition to, in lieu of,
or as an optional alternative to DoD protocols, in cases where the
current DoD protocol applicability statements apply.  They are
designated as experimental because of the limited operational experience
currently available with the OSI protocols and the limited operational,
testing, and security environment currently defined in GOSIP.  Services
and agencies choosing to implement OSI protocols at this time should
carefully evaluate these factors and be prepared to deal with the
complications which may accompany the introduction of new technology.

    It is intended to adopt the OSI protocols as a full co-standard with
the DoD protocols when GOSIP is formally approved as a Federal
Information Processing Standard.  Two years thereafter, the OSI
protocols would become the sole mandatory interoperable protocol suite;
however, a capability for interoperation with DoD protocols would be
provided for the expected life of systems supporting the DoD protocols.

    In order to extend the OSI protocol capabilities and provide
interoperability between the DoD and OSI protocols as rapidly as
possible, the following actions are requested:

    a.  The Directory, Defense Communications Agency, as the DoD
Executive Agent for Data Communications Protocol Standards, should:

    -  Publish by November 1987 the DoD-OSI Interoperability and
Transition Plan.  The plan should provide for interoperation of the DoD
and OSI protocols at the application level.  A capability for


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OSD DIRECTIVE                                                 2 JUL 1987



experimental interoperability of DoD and OSI message handling and file
transfer capabilities should be provided by March 1988, and a limited
operational capability by January 1989.

     -  Join the Corporation for Open Systems (COS) as the Department of
Defense representative.  COS is a non-profit consortium formed to deal
with testing and other operational issues relating to OSI protocols.  At
the request of the Office of Management and Budget, the Services and
other defense agencies should not join COS directly, but may participate
as the agents of DCA on appropriate COS committees.

    -  Coordinate Service and agency participation, in accordance with
existing directives, in groups developing OSI standards, specifications,
and operating and management procedures.  These groups include the
Government OSI User's Group, the National Bureau of Standards OSI
Implementor's Workshops, the Corporation for Open Systems, the
Manufacturing and Automation Protocol (MAP) and Technical and Office
Protocol (TOP) user's groups, the American National Standards Institute
X3S3 and X3T5 committees, and the NATO Tri-Service Group on
Communications and Electronic Equipment, Sub-Group 9 (Data Processing
and Distribution).

    b.  The Director, National Security Agency should assure that the
efforts of the ongoing Secure Data Network Systems program can be used
to provide the security extensions defined as future work items in
GOSIP.

    c.  The Services and defense agencies should share the results and
experience of early implementations under the experimental coexistence
policy by actively participating in the groups indicated above, under DCA
coordination.  This experience should be particularly valuable in
assuring that military requirements can be satisfied by the developing
OSI standards, specifications, and procedures.

    This guidance provides for the interim steps necessary to continue
progress toward implementation of OSI standards.  As the technology
matures and DoD gains additional experience, the final implementation
details will be provided in a DoD directive.

                                              [Signed]  Donald C. Latham












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