[Federal Register Volume 59, Number 177 (Wednesday, September 14, 1994)]
[Unknown Section]
[Page 0]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 94-22685]


[[Page Unknown]]

[Federal Register: September 14, 1994]


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DEPARTMENT OF COMMERCE
National Institute of Standards and Technology
[Docket No. 940842-4242]
RIN 0693-AB24/GOSIP and 0693-AB35/GNMP

 

Proposed Changes to Federal Information Processing Standard 
(FIPS) 146-1, Version 2 of the Government Open Systems Interconnection 
Profile (GOSIP) and Federal Information Processing Standard 179, 
Government Network Management Profile (GNMP)

AGENCY: National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), 
Commerce.

ACTION: Request for comments.

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SUMMARY: In May 1994, the Federal Internetworking Requirements Panel, 
which was established by NIST to study issues and recommend actions 
which the Federal Government can take to address the short- and long-
term issues of interworking and convergence of networking protocols, 
issued its final report. The Panel concluded that no single networking 
protocol suite meets the full range of government requirements for data 
internetworking. The Panel recommended that Federal government agencies 
select protocols for internetworking based on technical and marketplace 
factors, as well as a protocol's status as a standard.
    Based on the recommendations of the Panel, NIST is proposing 
changes to Federal Information Processing Standard (FIPS) 146-1, 
Version 2 of the Government Open Systems Interconnection Profile 
(GOSIP), and to FIPS 179, Government Network Management Profile (GNMP). 
The changes to FIPS 146-1, GOSIP, rename the FIPS as Profiles for Open 
Systems Internetworking Technologies and modify the standard by 
removing the requirement that Federal agencies specify the Government 
Open Systems Interconnection Profile (GOSIP) protocols when agencies 
acquire networking products and services and communications systems and 
services. The revision, which will be issued as FIPS 146-2, provides 
references to additional specifications that agencies may use in the 
acquisition of open systems.
    NIST also proposes that FIPS 179, Government Network Management 
Profile (GNMP), which builds on FIPS 146-1, and provides network 
management functions and services for GOSIP end systems and 
intermediate systems, be changed to remove the requirement for 
mandatory use.
    Prior to the submission of these proposed changes to the Secretary 
of Commerce for review and approval, it is essential to assure that 
consideration is given to the needs and views of manufacturers, the 
public, and State and local governments. The purpose of this notice is 
to solicit such views.
    Federal Information Processing Standards (FIPS) contain two 
sections: (1) An announcement section, which provides information 
concerning the applicability, implementation, and maintenance of the 
standards; and (2) A specifications section, which contains the 
detailed description of the standards.
    The announcement sections of FIPS 146-1 and 179 are the only 
portions of the standards that are modified by these proposed changes. 
The specifications sections of FIPS 146-1 and 179, which reference OSI 
protocols, will not be changed by these revisions. Only the 
announcement sections of the standards are provided in this notice. 
Interested parties may obtain copies of FIPS 146-1 and 179 from the 
National Technical Information Service, U.S. Department of Commerce, 
Springfield, VA 22161, telephone (703) 487-4650.

DATES: Comments on these proposed changes to FIPS 146-1 and 179 must be 
received on or before October 27, 1994.

ADDRESSES: Written comments concerning these changes should be sent to: 
Director, Computer Systems Laboratory, ATTN: Proposed Changes to FIPS 
146-1 and 179, Technology Building, Room B154, National Institute of 
Standards and Technology, Gaithersburg, MD 20899.
    Written comments received in response to this notice will be made 
part of the public record and will be made available for inspection and 
copying in the Central Reference and Records Inspection Facility, Room 
6020, Herbert C. Hoover Building, 14th Street between Pennsylvania and 
Constitution Avenues, NW., Washington, DC 20230.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
Mr. Gerard F. Mulvenna, National Institute of Standards and Technology, 
Gaithersburg, MD 20899, (301) 975-3631.

    Dated: September 8, 1994.
Samuel Kramer,
Associate Director.

Proposed Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 146-2

(date)

Announcing the Standard For Profiles For Open Systems 
Internetworking Technologies

    Federal Information Processing Standards Publications (FIPS 
PUBS) are issued by the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology after approval by the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to 
Section 111(d) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services 
Act of 1949 as amended by the Computer Security Act of 1987, Public 
Law 100-235.
    1. Name of Standard. Profiles for Open Systems Internetworking 
Technologies (FIPS PUB 146-2).
    2. Category of Standard. Hardware and Software Standards, 
Computer Network Protocols.
    3. Explanation. FIPS 146-1 adopted the Government Open Systems 
Interconnection Profile (GOSIP) which defines a common set of Open 
Systems Interconnection (OSI) protocols that enable systems 
developed by different vendors to interoperate and the users of 
different applications on those systems to exchange information. 
This change modifies FIPS 146-1 by removing the requirement that 
Federal agencies specify GOSIP protocols when they acquire 
networking products and services and communications systems and 
services. This change references additional specifications that 
Federal agencies may use in acquiring data communications protocols 
for open systems.
    4. Approving Authority. Secretary of Commerce.
    5. Maintenance Agency. U.S. Department of Commerce, National 
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Computer Systems 
Laboratory (CSL).
    6. Related Documents.
    a. NIST Special Publication 500-217, Industry Government Open 
Systems Specification (IGOSS).
    b. Internet RFC 1610, Internet Official Protocol Standards.
    c. NIST Special Publication 500-214, Stable Implementation 
Agreements for Open Systems Interconnection Protocols.
    d. NISTIR ________, IGOSS Conformance and Interoperation Testing 
and Registration.
    7. Objectives. The primary objectives of this standard are:

--To achieve interconnection and interoperability of computers and 
systems that are acquired from different manufacturers in an open 
systems environment;
--To reduce the costs of computer network systems by increasing 
alternative sources of supply;
--To facilitate the use of advanced technology by the Federal 
Government;
--To provide guidance for the acquisition and use of networking 
products implementing open, voluntary standards such as those 
developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the 
International Telecommunications Union (ITU; formerly the 
Consultative Committee on International Telegraph and Telephone 
[CCITT]), and the International Organization for Standardization 
(ISO).

    8. Specifications. GOSIP specification in FIPS 146-1, Version 2. 
(In a future revision of Profiles for Open Systems Internetworking 
Technologies, NIST plans to offer additional guidance on the 
acquisition and use of the Internet and OSI protocol suites.)
    9. Applicability. Federal agencies are strongly encouraged to 
acquire and use, whenever possible, networking products and services 
and communications systems and services based on open voluntary 
standards.
    10. Implementation. The Industry Government Open Systems 
Specification (IGOSS) issued as NIST Special Publication 500-217 
updates the OSI protocols in FIPS 146-1 and may be used by Federal 
Government agencies when they wish to acquire computer networking 
products and services and communications systems or services that 
are based on OSI standards.
    In addition, other specifications based on open, voluntary 
standards such as those issued by the Internet Engineering Task 
Force (IETF), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU); 
formerly the Consultative Committee on International Telegraph and 
Telephone [CCITT]), and the International Organization for 
Standardization (ISO) may be used.
    The National Institute of Standards and Technology has described 
a testing program in IGOSS Conference and Interoperation Testing and 
Registration, (NISTIR ____). Such testing is voluntary and limited 
to the protocols that claim conformance to the IGOSS specifications.
    11. Special Information. The National Institute of Standards and 
Technology plans to work with other government agencies and with 
industry to develop additional profiles based on open, voluntary 
standards and to publish these profiles in independent documents.
    Future versions of this standard will reference these additional 
profiles and will contain information related to recommended use of 
such additional profiles.
    12. Where to Obtain Copies. Copies of this publication are for 
sale by the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), U.S. 
Department of Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161. When ordering, refer 
to Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 146-2 
(FIPSPUB146-2, and title. Specify microfiche if desired. Payment may 
be made by check, money order, or NTIS deposit account.

Proposed Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 179-1

(date)

Announcing the Standard for Government Network Management Profile 
(GNMP)

    Federal Information Processing Standards Publications (FIPS 
PUBS) are issued by the National Institute of Standards and 
Technology after approval by the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to 
Section 111(d) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services 
Act of 1949 as amended by the Computer Security Act of 1987, Public 
Law 100-235.
    1. Name of Standard. Government Network Management Profile 
(GNMP) (FIPS PUB 179-1).
    2. Category of Standard. Hardware and Software Standards, 
Computer Network Protocols.
    3. Explanation. This Federal Information Processing Standard 
adopts the Version 1.0 GNMP. The Government Network Management 
Profile (GNMP) specifies the common management information exchange 
protocol and services, specific management functions and services, 
and the syntax and semantics of the management information required 
to support monitoring and control of the network and system 
components and their resources.
    The primary source of specifications in the Version 1.0 GNMP is 
part 18 of the OIW Stable Implementation Agreements, June 1992, 
developed by the Open Systems Environment Implementors Workshop 
(OIW) sponsored by NIST and IEEE Computer Society. This source 
provides implementation specifications for network management based 
on the service and protocol standards issued by the International 
Organization for Standardization (ISO).
    Additional profiles will be developed implementing open, 
voluntary standards developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force 
(IETF), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU; formerly 
the Consultative Committee on International Telegraph and Telephone 
[CCITT], and the International Organization for standardization 
(ISO).
    4. Approving Authority. Secretary of Commerce.
    5. Maintenance Agency. U.S. Department of Commerce, National 
Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Computer Systems 
Laboratory (CSL).
    6. Cross Index.
    a. NBS Special Publication 500-202, Stable Implementation 
Agreements for Open Systems Interconnection Protocols, Version 5, 
Edition 1, NIST Workshop for Implementors of Open Systems 
Environment, June 1992.
    b. FIPS PUB 146-2, Profiles for Open Systems Internetworking 
Technologies.
    7. Related Documents. Related documents are listed in the 
Reference Section of the GNMP document.
    8. Objectives. The primary objectives of this standard are:

--To achieve interconnection and interoperability of computers and 
systems that are acquired from different manufacturers in an open 
systems environment;
--To reduce the costs of computer network systems by increasing 
alternative sources of supply;
--To facilitate the use of advanced technology by the Federal 
Government;
--To provide guidance for the acquisition and use of networking 
products implementing open, voluntary standards such as those 
developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the 
International Telecommunications Union (ITU); formerly the 
Consultative Committee on International Telegraph and Telephone 
[CCITT]), and the International Organization for Standardization 
(ISO).

    9. Specifications. GNMP specification in FIPS 179.
    10. Applicability. Federal agencies are strongly encouraged to 
acquire and use, whenever possible, networking products and services 
and communications systems and services based on open voluntary 
standards.
    11. Implementation. This specification may be used by Federal 
Government agencies when they wish to acquire computer networking 
products and services and communications systems or services that 
are based on OSI standards.
    In addition, other specifications based on open, voluntary 
standards such as those issued by the Internet Engineering Task 
Force (IETF), the International Telecommunications Union (ITU; 
formerly the Consultative Committee on International Telegraph and 
Telephone [CCITT]), and the International Organization for 
Standization (ISO) may be used. One example, use of open standards 
is the OMNI Point specification for integrated management of 
networked information systems.
    12. Special Information. The National Institute of Standards and 
Technology plans to work with other government agencies and with 
industry to develop additional profiles based on open, voluntary 
standards and to publish these profiles in independent documents.
    Future versions of this standard will reference these additional 
profiles and will contain information related to recommended use of 
such additional profiles.
    13. Where to Obtain Copies. Copies of this publication are for 
sale by the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), U.S. 
Department of Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161. When ordering, refer 
to Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 179-1 
(FIPSPUB179-1), and title. Specify microfiche if desired. Payment 
may be made by check, money order, or NTIS deposit account.

[FR Doc. 94-22685 Filed 9-13-94; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 3510-CN-M