[IP-SFS] Changes to IP over Semaphore Signals for April 1

Jogi Hofmüller jogi at mur.at
Mon Mar 26 17:54:35 CEST 2007


Dear Bob!

It took a little longer than originally expected, but we worked as
quickly as possible. So here ist the next version including all
changes you required. I also attach an xml version that can be used with
the xml2rpc tool.

We hope that the document fullfills the necessary requirements for
publication now.

regards,
j.hofmueller

<txt>




Network Working Group                                 J. Hofmueller, Ed.
Internet-Draft                                          A. Bachmann, Ed.
Intended status: Experimental                           I. Zmoelnig, Ed.
Expires: October 3, 2007                                      April 2007


  A standard for the transmission of IP datagrams over Semaphore Flag
                           Signalling System
                               ip-sfs-rfc

Status of this Memo

   By submitting this Internet-Draft, each author represents that any
   applicable patent or other IPR claims of which he or she is aware
   have been or will be disclosed, and any of which he or she becomes
   aware will be disclosed, in accordance with Section 6 of BCP 79.

   Internet-Drafts are working documents of the Internet Engineering
   Task Force (IETF), its areas, and its working groups.  Note that
   other groups may also distribute working documents as Internet-
   Drafts.

   Internet-Drafts are draft documents valid for a maximum of six months
   and may be updated, replaced, or obsoleted by other documents at any
   time.  It is inappropriate to use Internet-Drafts as reference
   material or to cite them other than as "work in progress."

   The list of current Internet-Drafts can be accessed at
   http://www.ietf.org/ietf/1id-abstracts.txt.

   The list of Internet-Draft Shadow Directories can be accessed at
   http://www.ietf.org/shadow.html.

   This Internet-Draft will expire on October 3, 2007.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (C) The IETF Trust (2007).

Abstract

   This document specifies a method for encapsulating and transmitting
   IPv4/IPv6 packets over Semaphore Flag Signals (SFS).


1.  Introduction

   The Semaphore Flag Signaling System (SFSS) is an alphabet signalling



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   system based on the waving of a pair of hand-held flags in a
   particular pattern [JimCroft].

   IP datagrams are formated into IP-SFS frames by adding an IP-SFS
   header and trailer.  The resulting IP-SFS frame is transmitted using
   the SFS described in Figure 3.  IP datagrams will be fragmented into
   multiple IP-SFS frames if necessary.

   IP-SFS is capable of transmitting four (4) bits per flag (bpf).  The
   number of transmitted flags per minute (fpm) depends on the
   experience of participating humans.  Resulting link speed in bits per
   second is (fpm/60)*4.


2.  Definitions

   Link:
           A link consists of two (2) interfaces that share a common
           subnet.

   Link-partner:
           The oposite interface.

   Session:
           The transmission of an entire IP datagram.

   SFS:
           One Semaphore Flag Signal or flag.

   SFSS:
           The Semaphore Flag Signaling System.

   IP-SFS:
           Ip over Semaphore Flag Signaling System.


3.  Protocol Discussion

   IP-SFS supports packet fragmentation and re-assembly.  When an IP
   datagram is fragmented into N frames the 1st frame will be sent with
   frame number N-1, the 2nd with frame number N-2, ... the last with
   frame number 0.

   The diagram in Figure 1 illustrates the place of the IP-SFS in the
   protocol hierarchy.






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             +-----+     +-----+       +-----+
             | TCP |     | UDP |  ...  |     |  Host Layer
             +-----+     +-----+       +-----+
                |           |             |
             +-------------------------------+
             |    Internet Protocol & ICMP   |  Internet Layer
             +-------------------------------+
                            |
             +-------------------------------+
             |             SFS               |  Link Layer
             +-------------------------------+

                          Protocol relationships.

                                 Figure 1

3.1.  IP-SFS Frame Description

   Data coming from a higher level protocol is encapsulated in IP-SFS
   frames.  Figure 2 illustrates one IP-SFS frame.

                       0        1        2        3
                   +--------+--------+--------+--------+
                   |Protocol|Checksum|Frame Hi|Frame Lo|
                   +--------+--------+--------+--------+
                   |                                   |
                   +               DATA                +
                   |                                   |
                   +--------+--------+--------+--------+
                   |  CRC   |  CRC   |  CRC   |  CRC   |
                   +--------+--------+--------+--------+

      Example IP-SFS Frame.  Note that each field represents one SFS.

                                 Figure 2

   Protocol:  4 bits

       0      none.

       1      for IPv4.

       2      for IPv6.

       3      for whole IPv4 frame gzip compressed.






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       4      for whole IPv6 frame gzip compressed.

       5...15 reserved for future use.

   Checksum:  4 bits

       0      none.

       1      CCITT CRC 16 (polynom: x^16+x^12+x^5+1).

       2...15 reserved for future use.

   Frame Hi: 4 bits
       Frame Number divided by 16.

   Frame Lo: 4 bits
       Frame Number % 16; % donates modulo division.

   DATA:
       0 to 510 data signals as described in Figure 3

   CRC: 16 bits
       CRC checksum.  Preset to 0xFFFF.  Ones complement of checksum is
       transmitted.

3.2.  Signal Coding

   The IP-SFS frames are transmitted over an SFS link by translating
   each 4-bit nibble into one SFS according to Figure 3.  IP-SFS knows
   16 data signals represented by SFS A to P and 9 control signals
   represented by SFS Q to X.

   Data Signals and Control Signals are standard SFS as described by
   [JimCroft], [Wikipedia] and other sources on the internet.  Instead
   of using their alphabetical value, Data Signals are interpreted as
   4-bit nibbles and Control Signals are used for interface
   communication.

3.3.  IP-SFS Data Signals

   Figure 3 illustrates the 16 SFS used to transmit data frames over the
   link.  The illustrations show each SFS as seen from the receiving
   side.








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                   SFS        0     __0      \0      |0
                             /||      ||      ||      ||
                             / \     / \     / \     / \
                              A       B       C       D
                   IP-SFS    0x00    0x01    0x02    0x03

                   SFS        0/      0__     0     __0
                             ||      ||      ||\     /|
                             / \     / \     / \     / \
                              E       F       G       H
                   IP-SFS    0x04    0x05    0x06    0x07

                   SFS       \0      |0__     0|      0/
                             /|       |      /|      /|
                             / \     / \     / \     / \
                              I       J       K       L
                   IP-SFS    0x08    0x09    0x0A    0x0B

                   SFS        0__     0     _\0     __0|
                             /|      /|\      |       |
                             / \     / \     / \     / \
                              M       N       O       P
                   IP-SFS    0x0C    0x0D    0x0E    0x0F

                           IP-SFS data signals.

                                 Figure 3

3.4.  IP-SFS Control Signals

   Nine control signals are used to signal special IP-SFS conditions.
   Their meaning is listed in Figure 4.  The illustrations show each SFS
   as seen from the receiving side.


















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                   SFS      __0/    __0__   __0      \0|
                              |       |       |\      |
                             / \     / \     / \     / \
                              Q       R       S       T
                   IP-SFS    FST     FEN     SUN     FUN


                   SFS       \0/     \0__     0/_     0/
                              |       |       |       |\
                             / \     / \     / \     / \
                              U       V       W       X
                   IP-SFS    ACK     KAL     NAK     RTR


                   SFS        0__     0__
                             /|       |\
                             / \     / \
                              Y       Z
                   IP-SFS   unused  unused


                   SFS      _\0/_
                             /|\
                             / \
                            Error
                   IP-SFS    RTT

                          IP-SFS Control Signals.

                                 Figure 4

   FST: Frame STart.  Signal to indicate the start of a new frame.

   FEN: Frame ENd.  Signal to tell the end of one frame.

   SUN: Signal UNdo.  Signal to be used to cancel the transmission of
        one or more individual SFS within the active frame.  This signal
        will be unacknowledged.

   FUN: Frame UNdo.  As long as Frame ENd is not sent the transmitter or
        the receiver MAY request restarting the transmission of the
        active frame.  This signal will be unacknowledged and reacting
        upon it is optional.

   ACK: Frame ACK.  Signal to acknowledge reception of one frame.






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   KAL: KeepALive.  Signal to keep a connection alive.  Is to be
        transmitted in State Idle at a frequency of at least KAL_FREQ
        (see Section 4.2.  This signal will be unacknowledged.

   NAK: Frame No AcK.  Signal to tell that the frame received is not
        good.

   RTR: Ready To Receive.  Ack given to RTT when ready.

   RTT: Ready To Transmit.  Signal to request initiation of
        transmission.

3.5.  Protocol Limitations

   Due to the physical characteristics of the transfer channel bit error
   rates are expected to be in the range of 1e-3 (boy scout) to 1e-4
   (professional sailor).

   There are no means to handle frame reordering or dual (multiple)
   frame reception.  Thus the protocol is not suitable in environments
   where interfaces are moving fast and/or when the path of light is
   long.

3.6.  Implementation Limitations

   maximal payload per frame: 510 SFS (0...510)

   maximal SFS per frame: 518

   maximum frames per session: 255 (0...254)


4.  Interface Discussion

   An interface is constructed through the participation of one or more
   humans.  The knowledge of the SFSS is a recommendation, its absence
   can be compensated by a well designed GUI.

4.1.  States

   Interfaces know three States: Idle, Transmitting (TX), and Receiving
   (RX).

4.2.  Establishing a Connection

   IP-SFS is strictly point-to-point.  Unless interface-members are
   acquainted with each other a brief introduction of both sides is
   suggested prior to setting up a link to reduce the likelihood of



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   interface-spoofing attacks.

   Interfaces MUST agree on two different IP addresses on the same
   subnet.

   Interfaces are free to negotiate any period of time as TIMEOUT.
   Possible values for TIMEOUT are the time it takes to smoke a
   cigarette or the time it takes to drink a glass of water.  If
   negotiation fails, TIMEOUT defaults to 60 seconds.

   The same procedure MAY be applied for the KeepALive FReQuency
   (KAL_FRQ).  The period of KAL_FRQ (1/KAL_FRQ) SHOULD be at least five
   times TIMEOUT.

4.3.  State Idle

   Interfaces in State Idle MUST be ready to receive data from a higher
   level protocol and/or the link-partner.  KAL is to be transmitted at
   a frequency of at least KAL_FRQ.

   There are no further definitions for State Idle but we recommend to
   stay away from alcoholic beverages or other types of drugs since this
   could lead to an increased number of FUN and/or SUN and result in a
   decrease in bandwidth and increase of line latency.

   If the number of IP datagrams in the transmission queue is >0 the
   interface MAY try to initiate a session.

   If the link partner transmits RTT and the interface accepts the
   session initiation it transmits RTR to acknowledge this.

4.4.  Session Initiation

   An interface receiving data from a higher protocol level MAY start
   signaling RTT.

   If the link partner does not respond with RTR within TIMEOUT or the
   link partner responds with RTT the interface switches to State Idle
   for a random period of time between 2 seconds and TIMEOUT.

   If the link partner transmits RTR the interface transmits the number
   of IP-SFS frames to be transmitted in this session as two SFS
   followed by another RTT.  If the link partner does not transmit the
   same number of IP-SFS frames followed by RTR within 3*TIMEOUT the
   interface switches to State Idle.

   If the link partner transmits the same number of IP-SFS frames
   followed by RTR the interface switches to State Transmitting.



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   Unless obstructed through environmental noise or great distance,
   hollering can be used to request line discipline from the link
   partner in State Idle.  The use of cellphones is also an option
   whereas throwing objects or using guns is not recommended since it
   could result in interface damage or destruction which would be
   counterproductive since IP-SFS tries to improve communication among
   humans.

4.5.  State Transmitting

   Transmission of one IP-SFS frame starts with FST.  After FST and
   before FEN have been transmitted the interface MAY acknowledge a
   received FUN and restart the transmission of the active frame or
   discard the signal and continue transmission of the active IP-SFS
   frame.

   If an error occurs the interface MAY transmit FUN and restart
   transmission of the active IP-SFS frame.

   After FEN has been transmitted the interface waits for the link
   partner to transmit ACK or NAK.

   If ACK has been received the interface removes the active frame and
   starts transmitting the next IP-SFS frame.  If no frames are left the
   interface switches to State Idle.  If no more frames are left to
   transmit the IP datagram is removed from the transmission queue and
   the interface switches to State Idle.

   If NAK has been received the transmission failed and the interface
   MUST start transmitting the active frame again.

   If the link partner does not transmit ACK or NAK within TIMEOUT the
   transmission failed and the interface MUST start retransmitting the
   active IP-SFS frame.

   If transmission of the same IP-SFS frame fails for five times the
   interface leaves the IP datagram in the transmission queue and
   switches to State Idle.

4.6.  State Receiving

   In State Receiving the interface stores each SFS receveived from the
   link partner in the receiving queue in the order of appearance.

   After FST and before FEN have been received the interface MAY
   transmit FUN at any time to request a retransmission of the entire
   IP-SFS frame.




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   If the time between two received SFS exceeds TIMEOUT the interface
   MUST discard all data from the active IP-SFS frame and MAY
   additionally transmit FUN.  If the link partner does not continue
   transmitting within a second TIMEOUT period, the interface MUST clear
   the receiving queue and switch to State Idle.

   If the interface receives FUN from the link partner it is free to
   discard the so far received frame.  We suggest honoring FUN since
   discarding the signal will decrease bandwidth.

   After FEN has been received the interface evaluates the checksum.  If
   the checksum is good the interface transmits ACK.  If the Frame
   Number of the active frame is 0 the interface passes the entire data
   from the receiving queue to the higher level protocol, clears the
   receiving queue and switches to State Idle.

   If the checksum is not good the interface transmits NAK.

4.7.  Terminating A Connection

   If the interface is in State Idle and the link partner did not
   transmit any kind of SFS for at least five times 1/KAL_FRQ the
   connection is terminated and the interfaces are free to disband.

4.8.  Further Remarks

   Interfaces are connected to computer hardware by means of a suitable
   input device (RX) and a suitable output device (TX).  Possible
   devices include keyboard, mouse, monitor.  Other means of connection
   are subject to availability and budget.

   Although it is theoretically possible to combine TX and RX part of an
   interface in one human being we suggest dividing the operations among
   at least two people per interface.  For longer transmissions
   (multimedia streaming, video conferencing etc.) consider rotating and
   provide substitutes.

   Bandwidth tends to vary.  Typically TX starts at about 2-4 bits/s and
   will decrease over time due to exhaustion and lack of concentration.
   An interface in TX State signalling at a rate higher than the RX
   interface is able to receive will lead to signal loss.


5.  Security Considerations

   By its nature of line-of-sight signalling, IP-SFS is considered
   insecure.  The transmission of sensitive data over IP-SFS is strongly
   discouraged unless security is provided by higher level protocols.



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   Interfaces tend to keep data in their memory.  There is no way to
   determine the lifetime of data in memory.  As a side effect, data
   might show up in unwanted locations at undesired times.

   We are currently not aware of a technique to reliably delete data
   from interfaces' memory without permanent interface destruction.


6.  Acknowledgements

   We thank Eva Ursprung and Doris Jauk-Hinz from Womyn's Art Support
   (WAS), Anita Hofer, Reni Hofmueller, Ulla Klopf, Nicole Pruckermayr,
   Manfred Rittler and Martin Schitter for all their contributions and
   support to this project.


7.  References

   [JimCroft]
              Croft, J., "Semaphore Flag Signalling System", accessed
              2007-03-26, <http://www.anbg.gov.au/flags/semaphore.html>.

   [Wikipedia]
              Wikipedia, n/a., "Modern semaphore", accessed 2007-03-26,
              <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Semaphore#Modern_semaphore>.


Authors' Addresses

   Jogi Hofmueller (editor)
   Brockmanngasse 65
   Graz  8010
   AT

   Email: ip-sfs at mur.at


   Aaron Bachmann (editor)
   Ulmgasse 14 C
   Graz  8053
   AT

   Email: ip-sfs at mur.at








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   IOhannes zmoelnig (editor)
   Goethestrasse 9
   Graz  8010
   AT

   Email: ip-sfs at mur.at













































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Full Copyright Statement

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-- 
Wolfram Scheucher träumt jede zweite Nacht von Harald Brettermeier - schlecht, versteht sich. <<< http://plagi.at/geruecht/
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