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SMTP D. Crocker Internet-Draft Brandenburg InternetWorking Expires:July 27,August 15, 2005January 26,February 14, 2005 Internet Mail Architecturedraft-crocker-email-arch-02draft-crocker-email-arch-03 Status of this Memo This document is an Internet-Draft and is subject to all provisions of section 3 of RFC 3667. 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 become aware will be disclosed, in accordance with RFC 3668. 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 onJuly 27,August 15, 2005. Copyright Notice Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2005). Abstract Over itsthirtythirty-four year history, Internet mail has undergone significant changes in scale and complexity. The first standardized architecture for email specified a simple split between the userworld and the transmissionworld, in the form of Mail User Agents(MUA)(MUA), and the transmission world, in the form of the Mail Handling Service (MHS) composed of Mail Transfer Agents (MTA).Over time eachCore aspects ofthese has divided into multiple, specialized modules. Public discussion and agreement aboutthenatureservice, such as address and message style, have remained remarkably constant. However public discussion of thechanges to Internet mailarchitecture has not keptpace, and abuses of the Internet mail service have brought these issues intopace with Crocker ExpiresJuly 27,August 15, 2005 [Page 1] Internet-Draft EMail ArchitectureJanuaryFebruary 2005stark relief.the real-world refinements. Thisdraftdocument offersclarifications and enhancements,an enhanced Internet Mail architecture toprovide a more consistent base for community discussion of email service problems and proposed email service enhancements.reflect the current service. Table of Contents 1. Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1.1 Service Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 1.2Document ChangesDiscussion venue . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 1.3Discussion venueChanges . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2. Email Actor Roles . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 2.1User-LevelUser Actors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6 2.2Transfer-LevelMHS Actors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2.3 Administrative Actors . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11 3.11. . . 13 3.1 Mailbox Addresses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1213 3.2 Domain Names . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1314 3.3 MessageIdentifersIdentifiers . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1314 3.4 Identity Referencing Convention . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .1315 4.Protocols andServices . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .13. . . . . . . 15 4.1Service ComponentsMessage . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .15. . . . . 17 4.2Operational ConfigurationMail User Agent (MUA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .21. . 19 4.3Layers of Identity ReferencesMail Submission Agent (MSA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 215. Message Data4.4 Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 22 4.5 Mail Delivery Agent (MDA) . . . . . . .22 5.1 Envelope. . . . . . . . . . . 24 4.6 Message Store (MS) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 5.2 Message Header Fields. . . . . . 25 5. Mediators . . . . . . . . . . . . . .22 5.3 Body. . . . . . . . . . . . 25 5.1 Aliasing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .23 6. Two Levels of Store-And-Forward. . . . . . . . . . 27 5.2 ReSending . . . . .23 6.1 MTA Relaying. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 28 5.3 Mailing Lists . . . .23 6.2 MUA Forwarding. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30 5.4 Gateways . . . .23 7. Security Considerations. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .30 8. References. . . . 33 5.5 Security Filter . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .31 Author's Address. 34 6. Security Considerations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34 7. References . . .33 A. Acknowledgements. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .33 Intellectual Property and Copyright Statements34 7.1 References - Normative . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 34Crocker Expires July 27, 2005 [Page 2] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture January7.2 Reference - Descriptive . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 Author's Address . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 A. Acknowledgements . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 Intellectual Property and Copyright Statements . . . . . . . . 38 Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 2] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 1. Introduction Over itsthirtythirty-four year history, Internet mail has undergone significant changes in scale and complexity. The first standardized architecture for email specified a simple split between the userworld and the transmissionworld, in the form of Mail User Agents(MUA)(MUA), andMail Transfer Agents (MTA). Over time each of these has sub-divided into more specialized modules. Howeverthebasic style and use of names, addresses and message structure have remained remarkably constant. There are two, basic categories of participantstransmission world, inInternet Mail. Users are customersthe form of the Mail Handling Service(MHS). They represent the sources and sinks(MHS) composed ofthat service. TheMailHandling ServiceTransfer Agents (MTA). The MHS is responsible for accepting a message from oneuserUser and delivering it to one or more others. +--------+ +---------------->| User | | +--------+ | . +--------+ | +--------+ . | User +--+--------->| User | . +--------+ | +--------+ . . | . . . | +--------+ . . . +-->| User | . . . +--------+ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . +--------------------------------------+ || |Mail Handling Service (MHS) || |+--------------------------------------+ Figure 1: Basic Email Service ModelPublic discussion and agreement about termsOver time the operational service has sub-divided each ofreferencethese "layers" into more specialized modules. Core aspects of the service, such as address and message style, have remained remarkably constant. However public discussion of the architecture has not kept pace with thechanges, and abuses of thereal-world refinements. This document offers an enhanced Internetmail service have brought this into stark relief. So, it is necessaryMail architecture toproduce a revised architecture. However it is important thatreflect the current service. The original distinction between user-level concerns and transfer-level concernsbe retained. This becomes challenging whenis retained, and theuser-level exchange is, itself, a sequence, such as with group dialogue or organizational message flow, as occurs with a purchase approval process. It is easyelaboration toconfuse this user-level activity witheach "level" of theunderlying mail transmission service exchanges. Crocker Expires July 27, 2005 [Page 3] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture January 2005architecture is discussed separately. For Internet mail, the term "end-to-end" usually refers to a single posting and the set of deliveries directly resulting fromaits single transiting of the MHS. However, note thatspecializedsome uses of email consider the entire email service -- including Originator and Recipient -- as a subordinate component. For these services, "end-to-end" refers to points outside of the email service. Examples Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 3] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 are voicemail over emailand[RFC2423], EDI overemail.email [RFC1767], and facsimile over email.[ID-ffpim] The current draft seeks to:1.o Documentchanges that have taken place in refiningrefinements to the email model2.o Clarify functional roles for the architectural components3.o Clarify identity-related issues, across the email service4.o Provide a document that serves as a common venue for further defining and citing modern Internet mail architecture 1.1 Service Overview End-to-end Internet mail exchange is accomplished by using a standardized infrastructure comprising:1.o An email object2.o Global addressing3.o A connected sequence of point-to-point transfer mechanisms4.o No prior arrangement betweenoriginatorOriginator andrecipient 5.Recipient o No prior arrangement between point-to-point transfer services, over the open Internet The end-to-end portion of the service is the message. Broadly the message, itself, is divided between handling control information and user messagepayload.content. A precept to the design of Internet mail isto permitpermitting user-to-user and MTA-to-MTA interoperability with no prior, direct administrative arrangement. That is, all participants rely on having the core services be universally supported, either directly or throughgatewaysGateways that translate between Internet mail standards and other email conventions.Crocker Expires July 27, 2005 [Page 4] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture January 2005For localized environments(edge(Edge networks) prior, administrative arrangement can include access control, routing constraints and lookup service configuration. In recent years one change to local environments is an increased requirement for authentication or, at least, accountability. In these cases, the server performs explicit validation of the client's identity. Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 4] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 1.2Document Changes The major changes from the previous version of this document are: Overall: Clarify roles and responsibilities Diagrams: Revised diagrams and tightened things up Distinct architectural 'sections': Added concept of ADMDs, as operational layer, separate from functional or architectural layer. Added user "layer", as distinct from transfer. Introduced 'mediator'. 1.3Discussion venueNOTE: This document is the work of a single person, about a topic with considerable diversity of views. It is certain to be incomplete and inaccurate. Some errors simply need to be reported; they will get fixed. Others need to be discussed by the community, because the real requirement is to develop common community views. To this end, please treat the draft as a touchstone for public discussion.Discussion about this document should be directed tothe: <mailto:ietf-smtp@imc.org> mailing list. Thethe IETF-SMTP mailing list<http://www.imc.org/ietf-smtp/index.htm><http://www.imc.org/ietf-smtp>. It is the most active, long-standing venue for discussing email architecture. Althoughthis listit is primarily for discussing only the SMTP protocol, it is recommended that discussion of this draft take place on that mailinglist. Thislisttends to attendbecause it attends to end-to-end infrastructure and architecture issues more than other email-related mailing lists.2. Email Actor Roles Discussion1.3 Changes This is intended to be the last major revision, prior to seeking publication. Significant changes to this version: Administrative Domain: Extensive discussion ofemail architecture requiresthis operational construct, including distinguishingdifferent actors within the service,User, Edge andbeing clear aboutTransit ADs. This elaborates thejob each performs. The best wayreference to "providers" in earlier drafts. Mediator: Extensive revision both tomaintainthedistinction between user activitydescription of Mediator andhandling activities is to depict their detailsuse of the construct throughout the document. Gateway: The construct of a gateway is elaborated. Set by: Tables that had an entry for "Actor:" have been changed to "Set by:" inseparate diagrams. Currentorder to clarify the nature of the Actor reference being made. It is intended to indicate who is responsible for setting the identity, rather than indicate what identity is referred to. The specific references were carefully reviewed and modified, to reflect this focus. The list of "set by" entries was extensively reviewed, with substantial modifications made. Editorial proofing: A complete word-smithing pass over the document. 2. Email Actor Roles Internetmail provides onlyMail is asmall sethighly distributed service, with a variety ofcapabilities for supportingactors serving differentkinds of ongoing, user-levelroles. These divide into: o User o Mail Handling Service (MHS) o Administrative Domain Crocker ExpiresJuly 27,August 15, 2005 [Page 5] Internet-Draft EMail ArchitectureJanuaryFebruary 2005exchanges.Although related to a technical architecture, the focusof a discussionson Actorsis onconcerns participant responsibilities, rather than on functional modules. Hence the labels used are different than for classic email architecture diagrams.The figures depict the relationships among the Actors.Actors often will be associated withentirely independent organizations from other Actors who are participating indifferent organizations. This operational independence provides theemail service.motivation for distinguishing Administrative Domains. 2.1User-LevelUser Actors Users are the sources and sinks of messages. They may have an exchange that iterates and they may expand or contract the set ofusersUsers participating in a set of exchanges. In Internet Mail there arethree, basicthree types of user-level Actors:Originators, Recipients, and Mediators. Fromhe to Originators o Recipients o Mediators From the User-level perspective all mail transfer activities are performed by a monolithic, sharedhandling service.MHS. Users are customers of this service. Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 6] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 The following depicts the relationships among them. +------------+ | Originator |<--------------+ +-+---+----+-+ | | | | | | | V | | | +-----------+ | | | | Recipient | | | | +-----------+ | | | | | | +----------+ | | | | | | | V V | | | +-----------+ +---+---+---+ | | Mediator +--->| Recipient | | +-----------+ +-----------+ | V +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+ | Mediator +--->| Mediator +--->| Recipient | +-----------+ +-----------+ +-----------+The functions of theseFigure 2: Relationships Among User Actorsare:2.1.1 Originator Also called "Author", this is the user-level participant responsibleCrocker Expires July 27, 2005 [Page 6] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture January 2005for creating original content and requesting its transmission. TheMail Handling ServiceMHS operates to send and deliver mail among Originators and Recipients. 2.1.2 Recipient The Recipient is a consumer of delivered content. ArecipientRecipient may close the user-level communication loop by creating and submitting a new message that replies to anoriginator.Originator. Anautomated, or semi-automatedexample of an automated form of reply is the Message Disposition Notification, which informs the Originator about the Recipient's disposition of the message. See Section 4.1. 2.1.3 Mediator A Mediator receives, aggregates, reformulates anddistributesredistributes messages as part of a potentially-protracted, higher-level exchange amongusers. AUsers. Example uses of Mediators include group dialogue and Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 7] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 organizational message flow, as occurs with a purchase approval process. Note that it is easy to confuse this user-level activity with the underlying MHS exchanges. However they serve very different purposes and operate is very different ways. Mediators are considered extensively in Section 5. When mail is delivered to an envelope address, a Mediator is viewed by the Mail HandlingService, when the Mediator's address is specified in the envelope.Service as a Recipient. When submitting messages, the Mediator is an Originator. What is distinctive is that a Mediator preserves the Originator information of themessage(s)message it reformulates, butmakesmay make meaningful changes to the content. Hence theMail Handling ServiceMHS sees a new message, but Users receive a message that is interpreted as primarily being from -- or, at least, initiated by -- the author of the original message. The role of a Mediator permits distinct, active creativity, rather than being limited to the morepassiveconstrained job of merely connecting together other participants. Hence it is really the Mediator that is responsible for the new message. A Mediator's task may becomplex, contingentcomplex andcreative,contingent, such as by modifying and adding content or regulating which users may participate and when. The popular example of this role is a group mailing list. A sequence of mediators may even perform a series of formal steps, such as reviewing, modifying and approving a purchase request. Because a Mediator originates messages, it might also receive replies.That is,So, a Mediator really is a full-fledged User.Specialized Mediators include: Forwarder:Gateway: Anew message encapsulates the original messageGateway is a particularly interesting form of Mediator. It is a hybrid of User and Relay that interconnects heterogeneous mail services. Its goal of emulating a Relay, so Gateway isseen as strictly "from"described in theMediator. Howevernext section. 2.2 MHS Actors The Mail Handling Service (MHS) has theMediator might add commentarytask of performing a single, email-level end-to-end transfer, on behalf of the Originator andcertainly hasreaching theopportunity to modifyRecipient address(es) specified in theoriginal message content.envelope. Mediated or protracted, iterative exchanges, such as those used for collaboration over time, are part of the User-level service, and are not part of this Transfer-level service. Crocker ExpiresJuly 27,August 15, 2005 [Page7]8] Internet-Draft EMail ArchitectureJanuaryFebruary 2005Redirector: Redirection differs from Forwarding by virtue of havingThe following depicts theMediator "splice" communication betweenrelationships among transfer participants in Internet Mail. It shows theOriginator ofSource as distinct from theoriginal messageOriginator, andthe Recipient of the new message. Hence the new Recipient sees the messageDestination asbeing From the original Originator. Mailing List: This Actor performs a task that candistinct from Recipient, although it is common for each pair to beviewed as an elaboration oftheRedirector role. In addition to sendingsame actor. The figure also shows multiple Relays in thenew messagesequence. It is legal toa potentially large number of new Recipients, content might be modified, such as deletion of attachments, formatting conversion, and addition of list-specific comments. In additional, archival of list messages is common. Annotator: The integrity of the original message is preserved, but one or more comments about the message are added in a manner that distinguishes commentary from original text. Adaptor: {per Ned Freed} Security Filter: Organizations often enforce security boundaries by having message subjected to analysis for conformance with the organization's safety policies. Examples are detection of content classed as spam or a virus. A Security Filter might alter the content, to render it safe, such as by removing content deemed unacceptable. Typically these actions will result in the addition of content that records the actions. 2.2 Transfer-Level Actors The Mail Handling Service has the task of performing a single, end-to-end transfer on behalf of the originator and reaching the recipient address(es) specified in the envelope. Protracted, iterative exchanges, such as those used for collaboration over time, are part of the User-level service, and are not part of this Transfer-level service. Crocker Expires July 27, 2005 [Page 8] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture January 2005 The following depicts the relationships among transfer participants in Internet Mail. It shows Source as distinct from the Originator, although it is common for them to be the same actor. The figure also shows multiple Relays in the sequence. It is legal to have only one,have only one, and for intra-organization mail services, this is common. +------------+ +-----------+ | Originator | | Recipient | +-----+------+ +-----------+ | ^ | Mail Handling Service |+===================================================+/+=================================================+\ || | | || || | | || V | +---------+ +--------+ +----+----+ | | | |<------------+ | | Source +...>| Notice | | Dest | | | | |<---+ | | +----+----+ +--------+ | +---------+ | | ^ V | | +---------+ +----+----+ +----+----+ | Relay +-->.......-->| Relay +-->| Relay | +---------+ +----+----+ +---------+ | V +---------+ | Gateway +-->... +---------+ Figure 3: Relationships Among MHS Actors 2.2.1 Source The Source role is responsible for ensuring that a message is valid for posting and then submitting it to amail relay.Relay. Validity includes conformance with Internet mail standards, as well as with local operational policies.SourceThe source may simply review the message for conformance, and reject it if there are errors, or it may create some or all of the necessary information. The Source operates with dualallegiance."allegiance". It serves the Originator and often it is the same entity. However its role in assuring validity means that it must also represent the local operator of theMail Handling Service.MHS, that is, the local Administrative Domain. Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 9] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 The Source also has the responsibility for any post-submission,originator-relatedOriginator-related administrative tasks associated with messageCrocker Expires July 27, 2005 [Page 9] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture January 2005transmission and delivery. Notably this pertains to error and delivery notices. Hence, Source is best held accountable for the message content, even when they did not create any or most of it. 2.2.2NoticesNotifications HandlerTransfer efforts might result in the generation of service reporting informationThe Notifications Handler processes service notifications that are generated by the MHS, as a result of its efforts to transfer or deliver the message. Notices may be about failures orcompletions. These Transfer or Delivery notification messagescompletions and are sent to an address that is specified by the Source.AThis Notices handling address (also known as a Bounce or Return address) might have no visible characteristics in commonthewith the address of the Originator or Source. 2.2.3 Relay A mailrelayRelay performs email transfer-service routing and store-and-forward. It addsenvelope-relatedenvelope-level handling information and then (re-)transmits the message on towards itsrecipient(s).Recipient(s). A Relay may add information to the envelope, such as with trace information. However it does not modify existing envelope information or the messagecontents. A basic transfer operation is between a client andcontent semantics. It may modify message content syntax, such as aserver Relay.change from text to binary transfer-encoding form, only as required to meet the capabilities of the next hop in the MHS. A set of Relays composes a Mail Handling Service network. This is above any underlying packet-switching network that they might be using. Hence, interesting email scenarios can involve three levels of store-and-forward: o User Mediators o MHS Relays o Packet Switches Aborting a message transfer results in having the Relay become an Originator and send an error message to the Notifications (Bounce) address. (The potential for looping is avoided by having this message, itself, contain noBounce address.Notifications address.) 2.2.4 Gateway A Gateway is aspecialhybrid form of User and Relay that interconnects heterogeneous mail services. It operates as a User process, but its purpose is simply to Relay messages. The more closely a Gateway is Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 10] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 able to operate as a Relay, the better. Differences betweenthemail services can be as small as minor syntax variations, but usually encompassmuch more basic,significant, semantic distinctions. For example, the concept of an email address might be as different as a hierarchical, machine-specific address versus a flat, global name space. Or between text-only content and multi-media.Hence,Hence the Relay functionofin agateway isGateway offers the minorcomponent.challenge in design. The more significant challenge is in ensuring the user-to-user functionality that matches syntax and semantics of independent email standards suites. The basic test of agateway'sGateway's adequacy is, of course, whether anoriginatorOriginator on one side of a Gateway can send a message to arecipient,Recipient on the other side, without requiringanychanges to any of the components in theoriginator's mail serviceOriginator's orthe recipient'sRecipient's mailservice,services, other than adding thegateway.Gateway. To each of these otherwise independent services, thegatewayGateway will appear to be aCrocker Expires July 27, 2005 [Page 10] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture January 2005"native" participant. However the ultimate test of agateway'sGateway's adequacy is whether theoriginatorOriginator andrecipientRecipient can sustain a dialogue. In particular, can arecipientRecipient's MUA automatically formulate a valid Reply? 2.3 Administrative Actors Operation of Internet mail services is apportioned to different providers (oroperators) each isoperators). Each can be composed of an independent AdministrativeDomain.Domain (AD). Examples include an end-user operating their desktop client, a department operating a localrelay,Relay, an IT department operating an enterpriserelay,Relay, and an ISP operating a public, shared email service. These can be configured into many combinations of administrative and operational relationships, with each Administrative Domain potentially having a complex arrangement of functional components.The interactions between functional components within an Administrative Domain are subject toFigure 4 depicts thepolicies of that domain. Policies can cover such things as reliability, access control, accountability and content evaluation and may be implemented in different functional components, according torelationships among ADs. Perhaps theneedsmost salient aspect of an AD is theAdministrative Domain. 2.3.1 Provider Providers operate component services or sets of services. It is possible for Providers to host servicesdifferential trust that determines its policies for activities within the AD, versus those involving interactions with otherProviders. Common examples are: Enterprise Service Providers: Operating an organization's internal data and/or mail operations. Internet Service Providers: Operating underlying data communication services that, in turn,ADs. Basic components of AD distinction include: Transit: These areused by one or more Relays and Users. It is not their job to perform email functions, but to provide an environment in which those functions can be performed.Mail ServiceProviders: Operate email services,Providers (MSP) offering value-added capabilities for Edge ADs, such asfor end-users, or mailing lists. Operational pragmatics often dictate that Providers be involved in detailed administrationaggregation andenforcement issues, to help insurefiltering. Edge: Independent transfer services, in networks at thehealthedge of theoverall Internet Mail Service. 3. Email IdentitiesInternet mailuses three forms of identity. The most common is the mailbox address <addr-spec> [RFC2822]. The other two forms areservice. User: End-user services. This might be subsumed under the Edge service, such as is common for web-based email access. Crocker ExpiresJuly 27,August 15, 2005 [Page 11] Internet-Draft EMail ArchitectureJanuaryFebruary 2005<domain name> [RFC1034] and message identifier [RFC2822]. 3.1 Mailbox Addresses An addr-spec has two distinct parts, divided by an at-sign ("@"). The right-hand side contains a globally interpreted name for an administrative domain. This domain name might refer to an entire organization, or to a collection of machines integrated into a homogeneous service, or to a single machine. Domain namesNote that Transit services aredefined and operatedquite different from packet-level transit operation. Whereas end-to-end packet transfers usually go through intermediate routers. Email exchange across theDNS [RFC1034], [RFC1035]. The left-hand side ofopen Internet is often directly between theat-sign contains a string that is globally opaque and is called the <local-part>. It is to be interpreted only by the entity specified inEdge ADs, at theaddress's right-hand side. All other entities must treatemail level. +------ +------+ +------+ | AD-1 | | AD-3 | | AD-4 | | ---- | | ---- | | ---- | | | +---------------------->| | | | | User | | |-Edge-+---->|-User | | | | | +--->| | | | | V | | | +------+ +------+ | Edge-+----+ | | | | +---------+ | +------+ | | AD-2 | | | | ------- | | | | | | +--->|-Transit-+---+ | | +---------+ Figure 4: Administrative Domains (AD) Edge networks may use proprietary email standards internally. However thelocal-part as a uninterpreted, literal stringdistinction between Transit network andmust preserve all of its original details. As such, its distribution is equivalent to sending a "cookie" that is only interpreted upon being returned to its originator. 3.1.1 Global Standards for Local-Part ItEdge network transfer services iscommonprimarily significant because it highlights the need forsites to have local structuring conventionsconcern over interaction and protection between independent administrations. In particular, this distinctions calls forthe left-hand side (local-part)additional care in assessing transitions ofan addr-spec. This permits sub-addressing, suchresponsibility, as well asfor distinguishing different discussion groups by the same participant. However it must be stressed that these conventions are strictly private totheuser's organizationaccountability andmust not be interpreted by any domain except the one listedauthorization relationships among participants in email transfer. The interactions between functional components within an Administrative Domain are subject to theright-hand sidepolicies ofthe add-spec. A small class of addresses have an elaboration on basic email addressing, with a standardized, global schema for the local-part. These are conventions between originating end-systemsthat domain. Policies can cover such things as reliability, access control, accountability andrecipient gateways,even content evaluation andthey are invisiblemodification. They may be implemented in different functional components, according to thepublic email transfer infrastructure. When an originator is explicitly sending via a gateway outneeds of theInternet, thereAdministrative Domain. For example, see [ID-spamops]. User, Edge and Transit services can be offered by providers that operate component services or sets of services. Further, it is possible for one AD to host services for other ADs. Common AD examples are: Enterprise Service Providers: Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 12] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 Operating an organization's internal data and/or mail operations. Internet Service Providers: Operating underlying data communication services that, in turn, arecoding conventionsused by one or more Relays and Users. It is not their job to perform email functions, but to provide an environment in which those functions can be performed. Mail Service Providers: Operate email services, such as forthe local-part, soend-users, or mailing lists. Operational pragmatics often dictate that providers be involved in detailed administration and enforcement issues, to help ensure theoriginator can formulate instructions forhealth of thegateway. Standardized examplesoverall Internet Mail Service. This can include operators ofthislower-level packet services. 3. Identities Internet mail uses three forms of identity. The most common is the mailbox address <addr-spec> [RFC2822]. The other two are thetelephone numbering formats for VPIM [RFC2421], such as "+16137637582@vpim.example.com",domain name <domain> [RFC1034] andiFax [RFC2304], such as "FAX=+12027653000/ T33S=1387@ifax.example.com". 3.1.2 Scopemessage identifier <msg-id> [RFC2822]. 3.1 Mailbox Addresses "A mailbox sends and receives mail. It is a conceptual entity which does not necessarily pertain to file storage." [RFC2822] A mailbox is specified as an Internet mail address <addr-spec>. It has two distinct parts, divided by an at-sign ("@"). The right-hand side contains a globally interpreted name for an administrative domain. This domain name might refer to an entire organization, or to a collection ofEmail Address Use Email addressesmachines integrated into a homogeneous service, or to a single machine. Domain names arebeing used far beyond theirdefined and operated through the Domain Name Service (DNS) [RFC1034], [RFC1035], [RFC2181]. The portion to the left of the at-sign contains a string that is globally opaque and is called the <local-part>. It is to be interpreted only by the entity specified in the address's right-hand side. All other entities must treat the local-part as a uninterpreted, literal string and must preserve all of its originalemail transferdetails. As such, its public distribution is equivalent to sending a "cookie" that is only interpreted upon being returned to its originator. Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 13] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 3.1.1 Global Standards for Local-Part It is common for sites to have local structuring conventions for the left-hand side (local-part) of an addr-spec. This permits sub-addressing, such as for distinguishing different discussion groups by the same participant. However it must be stressed that these conventions are strictly private to the user's organization and must not be interpreted by any domain except the one listed in the right-hand side of the addr-spec. A small class of addresses has an elaboration on basic email addressing, with a standardized, global schema for the local-part. These are conventions between originating end-systems and Recipient Gateways, and they are invisible to the public email transfer infrastructure. When an Originator is explicitly sending via a Gateway out of the Internet, there are coding conventions for the local-part, so that the Originator can formulate instructions for the Gateway. Standardized examples of this are the telephone numbering formats for VPIM [RFC2421], such as "+16137637582@vpim.example.com", and iFax [RFC2304], such as "FAX=+12027653000/ T33S=1387@ifax.example.com". 3.1.2 Scope of Email Address Use Email addresses are being used far beyond their original email transfer and delivery role. In practical terms, email strings have become a common form of user identity on the Internet. What is essential, then, is to be clear about the nature and role of an identity string in a particular context and to be clear about the entity responsible for setting that string. 3.2 Domain Names A domain name is a global reference to an Internet resource, such as a host, a service or a network. A name usually maps to one or more IP Addresses. A domain name can be administered to refer to individual users, but this is not common practice. The name is structure as a hierarchical sequence of sub-names, separated by dots ("."). When not part of a mailbox address, a domain name is used in Internet mail to refer to a node that took action upon the message, such as providing the administrative scope for a message identifier, or performing transfer processing. 3.3 Message Identifiers Like mailbox addresses, message identifiers have two distinct parts, Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 14] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 divided by an at-sign ("@"). The right-hand side is globally interpreted and specifies the administrative domain assigning the identifier. The left-hand side of the at-sign contains a string that is globally opaque and serves to uniquely identify the message within the domain referenced on the right-hand side. The duration of uniqueness for the message identifier is undefined. The identifier may be assigned by the user or by any component of the system along the path, within the AD responsible for the indicated domain. Although Internet mail standards provide for a single identifier, more than one is sometimes assigned. 3.4 Identity Referencing Convention In this document, fields references to identities are labeled in a two-part, dotted notation. The first part cites the document defining the identity and the second defines the name of the identity. Hence, <RFC2822.From> is the From field in an email content header, and <RFC2821.MailFrom> is the address in the SMTP "Mail From" command. 4. Services The Internet's MHS architecture distinguishes six types of functional components, arranged to support a store-and-forward service architecture: o Message o Mail User Agent (MUA) o Message Submission Agent (MSA) o Message Transfer Agent (MTA) o Message Delivery Agent (MDA) o Message Store (MS) This section describes the specific functional components for Internet Mail, and the standard protocols associated with performing them. This figure shows function modules and the protocols used between them. +------+ ...............+ oMUA |<------------------------------+ Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 15] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 . +--+---+ | . | {smtp, submission | . V | . +------+ | . | MSA |<--------------------+ | . +--+---+ | | . | {smtp | | . V | | . +------+ /+===+===+\ | . | MTA | || dsn || | /+==========+\ +--+---+ \+=======+/ | || MESSAGE || . {smtp ^ ^ | ||----------|| . | | | || Envelope || . | | | || SMTP || V | | | || RFC2822 || +------+ | | /+==+==+\ || Content || | MTA +-------------------+ | || mdn || || RFC2822 || +--+---+ | \+=====+/ || MIME || | {local, smtp, lmtp | | \+==========+/ V | | . +------+ | | . | +-----------------------+ | . | MDA | | . | |<--------------------+ | . +-+--+-+ | | . local} | | | | . V | | | . +------+ | /+===+===+\ | . | MS-1 | | || sieve || | . +-+--+-+ | \+=======+/ | . | | | {pop, imap ^ | . | V V | | . | +------+ | | . | | MS-2 | | | . | +--+---+ | | . | | {pop, imap, local | | . V V | | . +------+ | | ...........>| rMUA +------------------------+---------+ +------+ Figure 5: Protocols anddelivery role. In practical terms, email strings have become a common formServices Software implementations ofuser identity on the Internet. What is essential, then, is to be clear aboutthese architectural components often compress them, such as having thenaturesame software do MSA, MTA androleMDA functions. However the requirements for each of these components ofan identity string in a particular context and to be clear aboutthe service are becoming more extensive. So, their separation is increasingly common. Crocker ExpiresJuly 27,August 15, 2005 [Page12]16] Internet-Draft EMail ArchitectureJanuaryFebruary 2005entity responsible for setting that string. 3.2 Domain NamesNOTE: Adomain namediscussion about any interesting system architecture is often complicated by confusion between architecture versus implementation. An architecture defines the conceptual functions of aglobal reference to an Internet resource, suchservice, divided into discrete conceptual modules. An implementation of that architecture may combine or separate architectural components, as needed for ahost,particular operational environment. It is important not to confuse the engineering decisions that are made to implement aservice orproduct, with the architectural abstractions used to define conceptual functions. 4.1 Message The purpose of the Mail Handling Service is to exchange anetwork. A name usually mapsmessage object among participants. Hence, all of the underlying mechanisms are merely in the service of getting that message from its Originator toone or more IP Addresses.its Recipients. Adomain name canmessage may beadministered to referexplicitly labeled as toindividual users, but this is not common practice.its nature. [RFC3458] A message comprises a transit handling envelope and the end-user message content. The envelope contains handling information used by the Message Handling Service, or generated by it. Thenamecontent isstructure as a hierarchical sequence of sub-names, separated by dots ("."). When not part ofdivided into amailbox address,structured header and the body. The body may be unstructured, simple text, or it may be adomain name is used intree of multi-media subordinate objects. Internet mail has distinguished some special versions of messages, for exchanging control information: Delivery Status Notification (DSN): A Delivery Status Notification (DSN) may be generated by the Mail Handling Service (MSA, MTA or MDA) and sent torefer to a node that took action uponthemessage,RFC2821.MailFrom address. It provides information about message transit, such asproviding the administrative scope for a message identifier,transmission errors orperforming transfer processing. 3.3successful delivery. [RFC3461] MessageIdentifersDisposition Notification (MDN): A Messageidentifiers have two distinct parts, dividedDisposition Notification (MDN) may be generated by anat-sign ("@"). The right-hand side contains a globally interpreted name for the administrative domain assigning the identifier. The left-hand side of the at-sign contains a string that is globally opaquerMUA andservesis sent touniquely identifythe Disposition-Notification-To address. It provides information about Recipient-side messagewithinprocessing, such as indicating that thedomain referenced onmessage has been read [RFC2298] or theright-hand side. The durationform ofuniquenesscontent that can be supported. [RFC3297] Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 17] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 Message Filtering (SIEVE): SIEVE provides a means of specifying conditions for differential handling of mail, at themessage identifiertime of delivery. [RFC3028] 4.1.1 Envelope Information that isundefined. The identifier may be assigned by the userdirectly used by, orby any component ofproduced by, thesystem alongemail transfer service is called thepath. Although"envelope". It controls and records handling activities by the transfer service. Internetmail standards provide formail has asingle identifier, more than one is sometimes assigned. 3.4 Identity Referencing Convention Infragmented framework for handling thisdocument, fields references to identities are labeled"handling" information. The envelope exists partly ina two-part, dotted notation.the transfer protocol SMTP [RFC2821] and partly in the message object [RFC2822]. Thefirst part citesSMTP specification uses thedocument definingterm to refer only to theidentity andtransfer-protocol information. NOTE: Due to thesecond definesfrequent use of thenameterm "envelope" to refer only to SMTP constructs, there has been some call for using a different term, to label the larger set of information defined here. So far, no alternative term has developed any community support. Direct envelope addressing information, as well as optional transfer directives, are carried within theidentity. Hence, <RFC2822.From>SMTP control channel. Other envelope information, such as trace records, is carried within theFrom field incontent header fields. Upon delivery, SMTP-level envelope information is typically encoded within additional content header fields, such as Return-Path. 4.1.2 Message Header Fields Header fields are attribute/value pairs covering an extensible range of email service, user contentheader,and<RFC2821.MailFrom>user transaction meta-information. The core set of header fields isthe addressdefined inthe SMTP "Mail From" command. 4. Protocols and Services NOTE:[RFC2822], [RFC0822]. It is common to extend this set, for different applications. Adiscussion about any interesting system architecturecomplete set of registered header fields is being developed through [ID-hdr-reg]. One danger with placing additional information in header fields is that Gateways oftencomplicated by confusion between architecture versus implementation. An architecture defines the conceptual functionsalter or delete them. 4.1.3 Body The body ofa service, divided into discrete conceptual modules. An implementationa message might simply be lines ofthat architecture may combineASCII text orseparate architectural components, as needed forit might be structured into aparticular operational environment.composition of multi-media, body-part attachments, using MIME [RFC2045], [RFC2046], [RFC2047], [RFC2048], and [RFC2049]. Itis important not to confuse the engineeringshould be noted that MIME structures each Crocker ExpiresJuly 27,August 15, 2005 [Page13]18] Internet-Draft EMail ArchitectureJanuaryFebruary 2005decisions that are made to implementbody-part into aproduct, with the architectural abstractions used to define conceptual functions. Modern Internet email architecture distinguishes four typesrecursive set offunctional components, arranged to supportMIME header field meta-data and MIME Content sections. 4.1.4 Identity References in astore-and-forward service architecture: +------+ .............+ oMUA |<------------------------------+ . +--+---+ | . | { smtp,submission | . V | . +------+ | . | MSA |<--------------------+ | . +--+---+ | | . | { smtp | | . V | | . +------+ +====+====+ | . | MTA | || dsn || | +============+ +--+---+ +=========+ | || MESSAGE || . { smtp ^ ^ | || || . | | | ||(envelope)|| . | | | || || V |Message For a message in transit, the core uses of identity references combine into: +-----------------------+-------------+---------------------+ | Layer ||| RFC2822 || +------+Field | Set By |+===+===+ || ||+-----------------------+-------------+---------------------+ |MTA +-------------------+Message Body ||| mdn || ||MIME|| +--+---+ | +=======+ +============+ | { local, smtp, lmtp | | . V | | . +------+ | | . | +-----------------------+ | .Header |MDAOriginator | |.Message header fields ||<--------------------+From |. +-+--+-+Originator | |. local }| Sender | Source | |. V| Reply-To | Originator |. +------+|+====+====+|.To, CC, BCC |MS-1Originator | ||| sieve |||. +-+--+-+Message-ID |+=========+Source |.| | Received |{ pop, imap ^Source, Relay, Dest |.|V V| Return-Path |.MDA, from MailFrom |+------+| |.Resent-* | Mediator |MS-2| SMTP | HELO |.Latest Relay Client |+--+---+| |.MailFrom | Source |{ pop, imap, local| |. V VRcptTo | Originator |. +------+| IP |.........>| rMUA +------------------------+---------+ Crocker Expires July 27, 2005 [Page 14] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture January 2005 +------+ Software implementations of these architectural components often compress them, such as having the same software do MSA, MTA and MDA functions. However the requirements for each of these components of the service are becoming more extensive. So, their separation is increasingly common. 4.1 Service Components 4.1.1IP Address | Latest Relay Client | +-----------------------+-------------+---------------------+ 4.2 Mail User Agent (MUA) A Mail User Agent (MUA) works on behalf of end-users and end-user applications. It is their "representative" within the email service. At the origination side of the service, the oMUA is used to create a message and perform initial "submission" into the transfer infrastructure, via a Mail Submission Agent (MSA). It may also perform any creation- and posting-time archival. An MUA outbox is part of the origination-side MUA. Therecipient-sideRecipient-side rMUA works on behalf of the end-userrecipientRecipient to process received mail. This includes generating user-level return control messages, display and disposition of the received message, and closing or expanding the user communication loop, by initiating replies and forwarding new messages. An MUA may, itself, have a distributed architecture, such as implementing a "thin" user interface module on a limited end-user device, with the bulk of the MUA functionality operated remotely on a more capable server. An example of such an architecture might use Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 19] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 IMAP [RFC3501] for most of the interactions between an MUA client and an MUA server. A Mediator is special class of MUA performs message re-posting, as discussed inthe <Mediator> section.Section 2.1. Identity fieldsset byrelevant to the MUA include: RFC2822.FromActor:Set by: Originator Names and addresses for author(s) of the message content are listed in the FromheaderfieldCrocker Expires July 27, 2005 [Page 15] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture January 2005RFC2822.Reply-ToActor:Set by: Originator If a messagerecipientRecipient sends a reply message that would otherwise use the RFC2822.From field address(es) contained in the original message, then they are instead to use the address(es) in the RFC2822.Reply-To field. In other words, this field is a direct override of the From field, for responses fromrecipients.Recipients. RFC2822.SenderActor:Set by: Source This specifies the address responsible forsubmissionsubmitting the message into the transfer service. For efficiency, this field should be omitted if it contains the same address as RFC2822.From. However this does not mean there is no Sender specified. Rather, it means that that header field is virtual and that the address in the From field must be used. Specification of the error return addresses -- the"notifications""Notifications" (or "bounces") address, contained in RFC2821.MailFrom -- is made by the RFC2822.Sender. Typically thenotificationsNotifications address is the same as the Sender address. However some usage scenarios require it to be different. RFC2822.To, RFC2822.CCActor: RecipientSet by: Originator These specify MUArecipientRecipient addresses. The addresses in the fields might not be present in the RFC2821.RcptTo command. The distinction between To and CC is subjective. Generally, a To addressee is considered primary and is expected to take action on Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 20] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 the message. A CC addressee typically receives a copy only for their information. RFC2822.BCCActor: RecipientSet by: Originator A message might be copied to an addressee whose participation is not to be disclosed to the RFC2822.To or RFC2822.CCrecipients.Recipients and, usually, not to the other BCC Recipients. The BCC header field indicates a message copy to such arecipient.Recipient. Typically, the field lists no addresses or only lists the address of thesingle recipientRecipient receivingthethis copy.This usually ensures that even other BCC recipients do not know of each other.An MUA will typically make separate postings for TO and CCrecipients,Recipients, versus BCCrecipients.Recipients. The former will see no indication that any BCCs were sent, whereas the latter have a BCC field present. It might be empty, contain a comment, or contain one or more BCCCrocker Expires July 27, 2005 [Page 16] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture January 2005addresses, depending upon the preferences or the Originator.4.1.24.3 Mail Submission Agent (MSA) A Mail Submission Agent (MSA) accepts the message submission from the oMUA and enforces the policies of the hostingnetworkAD and the requirements of Internet standards. Enforcement might be passive, involving review and approval or rejection, or it might be active, involving direct modification of the message. An MSA implements a server function to MUAs and a client function to MTAs (or MDAs). Examples of MSA-styled functions, in the world of paper mail, might range across the very different capabilities of administrative assistants, postal drop boxes, and post office front-counter employees. The MUA/MSA interface can be implemented within a single host and use private conventions fortheirits interactions. Historically, standards-based MUA/MSA interactions have used SMTP [RFC2821]. However a recent alternative is SUBMISSION [RFC2476]. Although SUBMISSION derives from SMTP, it operates on a separate TCP port, and will typically impose distinct requirements, such as access authorization. Identitiesset byrelevant to the MSA include: RFC2821.HELO or RFC2821.EHLOActor:Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 21] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 Set by: Source The MSA may specify its hosting domain identity for the SMTP HELO or EHLO command operation. RFC2821.MailFromActor:Set by: Source This is an end-to-end string that specifies an email address for receiving return control information, such as "bounces". The name of this field is misleading, because it is not required to specify either the author or the agent responsible for submitting the message. Rather, the agent responsible for submission specifies the RFC2821.MailFrom address. Ultimately the simple basis for deciding what address needs to be in the RFC2821.MailFrom is to determine what address needs to be informed about transmission-level problems (and, possibly,successes. Crocker Expires July 27, 2005 [Page 17] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture January 2005 RFC2821.Rcpt-To Actor: Recipientsuccesses.) RFC2821.RcptTo Set by: Originator This specifies the MUAinboxmailbox address of a recipient. The string might not be visible in the message content header. For example, the message destination address header fields, such as RFC2822.To, might specify a mailing list address, while theRFC2821.Rcpt-ToRFC2821.RcptTo address specifies a member of that list. RFC2821.ReceivedActor:Set by: Source An MSA may record a Received header field, to indicate initial submission trace information, including originating host and MSA host domain names and/or IP Addresses.4.1.34.4 Mail Transfer Agent (MTA) A Mail Transfer Agent (MTA)An <MTA>relays mail. It is like amessage to another other MTApacket-switch orto an <MDA>,IP router ina point-to-point exchange.that its job is to make routing assessments and to move the message closer to the Recipient(s). Relaying is performed by a sequence of MTAs, until the message reaches its destination MDA. Hence an MTA implements both client and server MTA functionality.The basic functionality of an MTA is similarIt does not make changes tothat of a packet switchaddresses in the envelope orIP router. That is, it does email store-and-forward email, with a routing decision determining wherereformulate thenext-hop destination shall be.content, except as transfer-encoding requirements dictate. Also it may add trace information. Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 22] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 The primary "routing" mechanism for Internet mail is the DNS MX record [RFC1035]. As with most"link layer"network layer mechanisms Internet mail's SMTP supports a basic level of reliability, by virtue of providing for retransmission afterala temporary transfer failure. However the degree of persistence by an MTA can be highly variable.HoweverOf course email objects are typically much larger than the payload of a packet or datagram, and the end-to-end latencies are typically much higher. Contrary to typical packet switches (and Instant Messaging services) Internet mail MTAs typically store messages in a manner that allows recovery acrossservicesservice interruptions, such as host system shutdown. Internet mail primarily uses SMTP [RFC2821], [RFC0821] to effect point-to-point transfers between peer MTAs. Other transfer mechanisms include Batch SMTP [RFC2442] and ODMR[RFC2645][RFC2645]. An important characteristic of MTA-MTA communications, over the open Internet, is that they do not require prior arrangement between the independent administrations operating the different MTAs. Given the importance of spontaneity and serendipity in the world of human communications, this lack of prearrangement, between the participants, is a core benefit of Internet mail and remains a core requirement for it. Identities relevant to the MTA include: RFC2821.HELO Set by: Relay The MTA may specify its hosting domain identity for the SMTP HELO or EHLO command. This is the only standardized way of identifying the agent responsible for operation of the Relay, during the transfer operation. RFC2821.MailFrom Set by: Source This is an end-to-end string that specifies an email address for receiving return control Notifications, such as "bounces". The name of this field is misleading, because it is not required to specify either the author or the agent responsible for submitting the message. Rather, the agent responsible for submission specifies the MailFrom address. Ultimately the simple basis for deciding what address needs to be in the RFC2821.MailFrom is to determine what address needs to be informed about Crocker ExpiresJuly 27,August 15, 2005 [Page18]23] Internet-Draft EMail ArchitectureJanuaryFebruary 2005independent administrations operating the different MTAs. Given the importance of spontaneity and serendipity in the world of human communications, this lack of prearrangement, betweentransmission-level problems (and, possibly, successes.) RFC2821.RcptTo Set by: Originator This specifies theparticipants, is a core benefitMUA mailbox address ofInternet mail and remainsacore requirement for it. Identities set by the MTA include: RFC2821.HELO Actor: RelayRecipient. TheMTA may specify its hosting domain identity forstring might not be visible in theSMTP HELO or EHLO command operation. RFC2821.Return-Path Actor: Source The MDA recordsmessage content header. For example, theRFC2821.MailFrommessage destination addressinto an RFC2822headerfield named Return-Path.fields, such as RFC2822.To, might specify a mailing list address, while the RFC2821.RcptTo address specifies a member of that list. RFC2822.ReceivedActor:Set by: Relay An MTA must record a Received header field, to indicate trace information, including source host and receiving host domain names and/or IP Addresses.4.1.44.5 Mail Delivery Agent (MDA)The <MDA> delivers email to the recipient's inbox.A Mail Delivery Agent (MDA) delivers email to the Recipient's mailbox. It can provide distinctive, address-based functionality, made possible by its detailed knowledge of the properties of the destination address. This knowledge might also be present elsewhere in therecipient'sRecipient's Administrative Domain, such as at an organizational bordergateway.Relay. However it is required for the MDA, if only because the MDA must know where tostoredeliver the message.This knowledge is used to achieve differential handling of messages.Using Internet protocols, deliveryiscan be effectedwith POP [RFC1939] or IMAP [RFC3501].by a variety of standard protocols. When coupled with an internal, local mechanism, SMTPpermits[RFC2821] and LMTP [RFC2033] permit "push" delivery to therecipientRecipient system, at theinitativeinitiative of the upstream email service. POPis[RFC1939] and IMAP [RFC3501] are used for "pull" delivery at the initiative of therecipientRecipient system.Notably, SMTP andPOPeffect a Crocker Expires July 27, 2005 [Page 19] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture January 2005 transfer of message control from the email service to the recipient host. In contrast,and IMAPprovides on-going, interactivecan also be used for repeated access to messages on amessage store, and does not effect a transfer of message control to the end-user host. Instead, control stays with the message store host that is being access by the user.remote MS. Identitiesset byrelevant to the MDA include:RFC2821.HELO or RFC2821.EHLO Actor: RelayRFC2821.Return-Path Set by: Source The MDAmay specify its hosting domain identity forrecords the RFC2821.MailFrom address into theSMTP HELO or EHLO command operation.RFC2822.Return-Path field. Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 24] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 RFC2822.ReceivedActors: Source, Relay, DestSet by: Destination AnMTAMDA must record a Received header field, to indicate trace information, including source host and receiving host domain names and/or IP Addresses.4.1.54.6 Message Store (MS) AnMUA's usesMUA can use a long-term Message Store (MS). A rich set of choices for the use of that store derives from permitting more than one to be associated with a single user, demonstrated as MS-1 and MS-2 inthe Figure.Figure 5. MS-1 is shown as being remote from the MUA and MS-2 as being local. Further the relationship between two message store may vary. Between the MDA and the MUA, these choices are supported by a wide variety of protocol options. The operational relationship among two MSs can be: Online: Only a remote MS is used, with messages being accessible only when the MUA is attached to the MS, and the MUA repeatedly fetches all or part of a message, fromone session to the next. Offline: The MS is local to the user, and messages are moved from any remote store, rather than (also) being retained there. Disconnected: A remote MS and a local MS synchronize all or parts of their contents, while connected. The user may make changes while disconnected, and the two stores are re-synchronized upon reconnection. Crocker Expires July 27, 2005 [Page 20] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture January 2005 4.2 Operational Configuration Mail service components can be arranged into numerous organizational structures, each with independent software and administration. One common arrangement is to distinguish: 1. an open, core, global email transfer infrastructure 2. independent transfer services in networks at the edge of the core 3. end-user services Edge networks may use proprietary email standards. However the distinction between "public" network and edge network transfer services is primarily significant because it highlights the need for concern over interaction and protection between independent administrations. In particular, this distinctions calls for additional care in assessing transitions of responsibility, as well as the accountability and authorization relationships among participants in email transfer. On the other hand, real-world operations of Internet mail environments do impose boundaries such as access control at organizational firewalls to the Internet. It should be noted that the current Internet Mail architecture offers no special constructs for these configuration choices. The current design of Internet mail is for a seamless, end-to-end store-and-forward sequence. Itone session to the next. Offline: The MS ispossible thatlocal to thearchitectural enhancement will not require new protocols, butuser, and messages are moved from any remote store, ratherwill require clarificationthan (also) being retained there. Disconnected: A remote MS and a local MS synchronize all or parts ofbest practises, as exemplified bytheir contents, while connected. The user may make changes while disconnected, and the two stores are re-synchronized upon reconnection. 5. Mediators Basic email transfer is accomplished with an asynchronous store-and-forward communication infrastructure, in arecent effort [ID-spamops] 4.3 Layerssequence ofIdentity Referencesindependent transmissions through some number of MTAs. A very different task is a User-level sequence of postings and deliveries, through Mediators. For such re-postings, amessage in transit, the core identity fields combine into:Mediator does share some functionality with basic MTA relaying, but it enjoys a degree of Crocker ExpiresJuly 27,August 15, 2005 [Page21]25] Internet-Draft EMail ArchitectureJanuaryFebruary 2005+-----------------------+-------------+---------------------+ | Layer | Field |freedom with both addressing and content that is not available to MTAs. RFC2821.HELO or RFC2821.EHLO SetBy | +-----------------------+-------------+---------------------+ | Message Content | MIME Header | Originator | | Message header fields | From | Originator | | | Sender | Source | | | Reply-To | Originator | | | To, CC, BCC | Originator | | | Received | Source, Relay, Dest | | | Return-Path | MDA, from MailFrom | | SMTP | HELO | Latest Relay Client | | | MailFrom |by: Source| | | RCPT-TO | Originator | | IP | IP Address | Latestor RelayClient | +-----------------------+-------------+---------------------+ 5. Message Data 5.1 Envelope InformationThe MSA may specify its hosting domain identity for the SMTP HELO or EHLO command operation. RFC2821.MailFrom Set by: Source This is an end-to-end string that specifies an email address for receiving return control Notifications, such as "bounces". The name of this field isdirectly usedmisleading, because it is not required to specify either the author orproduced bytheemail transfer service is calledagent responsible for submitting the"envelope". It controls and records handling activities bymessage. Rather, thetransfer service. Internet mail has a fragmented frameworkagent responsible forhandling this "handling" information. The envelope exists partly insubmission specifies thetransfer protocol SMTP [RFC2821] and partlyRFC2821.MailFrom address. Ultimately the simple basis for deciding what address needs to be in themessage object [RFC2822]. Direct envelope addressing information, as well as optional transfer directives, are carried in-band by MTAs. All other envelope information, such as trace records,RFC2821.MailFrom iscarried withinto determine what address needs to be informed about transmission-level problems (and, possibly, successes.) RFC2821.RcptTo Set by: Mediator This specifies the MUA mailbox address of a Recipient. The string might not be visible in the message contentheader fields. Upon delivery, SMTP-level envelope information is typically encoded within additional contentheader. For example, the message destination address header fields, such asReturn-Path and Received (From and For). 5.2 Message Header Fields Header fields are attribute/value pairs covering an extensible rangeRFC2822.To, might specify a mailing list address, while the RFC2821.RcptTo address specifies a member ofemail service, user contentthat list. RFC2821.Received Set by: Mediator An MSA may record a Received header field, to indicate initial submission trace information, including originating host anduser transaction meta-information.MSA host domain names and/or IP Addresses. Thecore set of header fields is defined in [RFC2822], [RFC0822]. It is common to extend this set, for different applications. A complete setsalient aspect ofregistered header fields is being developed through [ID-hdr-reg]. One danger with placing additional information in header fieldsa Mediator, that distinguishes it from any other MUA creating an entirely new message, is thatgateways often alter or delete them.a Mediator preserves the integrity and tone of the original message, including the essential aspects of the original origination information. The Mediator might also add commentary. Crocker ExpiresJuly 27,August 15, 2005 [Page22]26] Internet-Draft EMail ArchitectureJanuaryFebruary 20055.3 Body The bodyExamples ofaMUA messagemight simply be lines of ASCII text or it might be structured into a composition of multi-media, body-part attachments, using MIME [RFC2045], [RFC2046], [RFC2047], [RFC2048], and [RFC2049]. It should be notedcreation thatMIME structures each body-part intoare not performed by Mediators include: New Message Forwarding Existing Message: Curiously, this action provides arecursive set of MIME header field meta-data and MIME Content sections. 6. Two Levelsbasic template for a class ofStore-And-Forward Basic email transferMediators. However by itself, it's typical occurrence isaccomplished withnot, in fact, anasynchronous store-and-forward communication infrastructure. This means that movingexample of a Mediator. The new message is viewed as being froman originator to a recipient involves a sequence of independent transmissions through some number of intermediaries, called MTAs.the Agent doing the forwarding, rather than being from the original Originator. Avery different tasknew message encapsulates the original message and is seen as strictly "from" theuser-level processMediator. The Mediator might add commentary and certainly has the opportunity to modify the original message content. The forwarded message is therefore independent ofre-posting athe original messagethroughexchange and creates a newsubmission process, aftermessage dialogue. However the finaldelivery for an earlier transfer sequence. Such MUA-based re-posting shares some functionality with basic MTA relaying, but it enjoysRecipient sees the contained message as from the original Originator. Reply: When adegree of freedom with both addressing and content that is not availableRecipient formulates a response toMTAs. The primary "routing" mechanism for Internet mail isa message, theDNS MX record [RFC1035]. Itnew message isan advertisement, bynot typically viewed as being arecipient domain,"forwarding" ofhosts that are able to relay mail to it, withintheportion oforiginal. It's focus is theInternet served by this instancenew content; any inclusion of material from theDNS. 6.1 MTA Relaying MTAs relay mail. They are like packet-switches and IP routers. Their joboriginal message isto make routing assessmentscontextual andto movesecondary. Annotator: The integrity of the original messagepayload data closer to the recipient. Itisnot their job to reformulate the payloadusually preserved, but one orto change addresses inmore comments about theenvelope ormessage are added in a manner that distinguishes commentary from original text. The tone of thecontent. 6.2 MUA Forwarding As discussednew message is that it is primarily commentary from a new Originator, similar to a Reply. The remainder of this section describes common examples of Mediators. 5.1 Aliasing A simple re-addressing facility that is available in<Mediator> section, forwardingmost MDA implementations is called Aliasing. It is performedby MUAs that takejust before delivering areceivedmessageand submit itto the specified Recipient's mailbox. Instead, the message is submitted back to the transfer service, for delivery to one or moredifferentalternate addresses.A forwarded message may appear identical to a relayed message, such as for Alias forwarders, or it may have minimal similarity,Although implemented aswithpart of the message delivery service, this facility is strictly aReply. 6.2.1 MUA Basic Forwarding The simplest type of forwarding involves creating an entirely newRecipient user function. It resubmits the message,with new content,replacing the envelope address, on behalf of the mailbox address thatincludeswas listed in theoriginal message betweenenvelope. Crocker ExpiresJuly 27,August 15, 2005 [Page23]27] Internet-Draft EMail ArchitectureJanuaryFebruary 2005Originator-1 and Recipient-1. HoweverWhat is most distinctive about thisforwarded communicationforwarding mechanism isbetween Recipient-1 (who could also be called Originator-2) andhow closely it compares to normal MTA store-and-forward Relaying. In reality its only interesting difference is that it changes the RFC2821.RcptTo value. An MDA that is re-posting anew recipient, Recipient-2. The forwardedmessageis therefore independentto an alias typically changes only envelope information: RFC2822.TO, RFC2822.CC, RFC2822.BCC Set by: Originator These retain their original addresses. RFC2821.RcptTo Set by: Mediator This field contains an alias address. RFC2821.MailFrom Set by: Mediator or original Source The agent responsible for submission to an alias address will often retain the original address to receive handling Notifications. The benefit of retaining the originalmessage exchange and creates a new message dialogue. 6.2.2 MUA Re-Sending A recipient may wishMailFrom value is todeclareensure thatan alternate addressee should take onthe origination-side agent knows that there has been a delivery problem. On the other hand, the responsibility fora message, or otherwise become involved inthe problem usually lies with the Recipient, since the Alias mechanism is strictly under the Recipient's control. RFC2821.Received Set by: Mediator The agent should record Received information, to indicate the delivery to the originalcommunication. They do thisaddress and submission to the alias address. The trace of Received header fields should therefore include everything from original posting througha user-level forwarding function,final delivery to the alias. 5.2 ReSending Also calledre-sending. The actReDirecting, ReSending differs from Forwarding by virtue ofre-sending, or re-directing, spliceshaving the Mediator "splice" acommunication between Originator-1 and Recipient-1,message's addressing information, Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 28] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 tobecome a communication between Originator-1 and new Recipient-2. In this case,connect thecontentOriginator of theneworiginal messageisand theold message, including preservationRecipient of theessential aspects ofnew message. This permits them to have direct exchange, using their normal MUA Reply functions. Hence the new Recipient sees the message as being From the originalmessage's origination information.Originator, even if the Mediator adds commentary. Identities specified in a resent message include RFC2822.FromActor:Set by: original Originator Names and email addresses for the original author(s) of the message content are retained. The free-form (display-name) portion of the address might be modified to provide informal reference to the agent responsible for the redirection. RFC2822.Reply-ToActor:Set by: original Originator If this field is present in the original message, itshould beis retained in theRe-sentResent message. RFC2822.SenderActor:Set by: original Source This field is expected to contain the original Sender value. RFC2822.TO, RFC2822.CC, RFC2822.BCCActor: Recipient Crocker Expires July 27, 2005 [Page 24] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture January 2005Set by: original Originator These specify the original messagerecipients.Recipients. RFC2822.Resent-FromActor: Mediating OriginatorSet by: Mediator The address of the originalrecipientRecipient who is redirecting the message. Otherwise, the same rules apply for the Resent-From field as for an original RFC2822.From field RFC2822.Resent-SenderActor: Mediating SourceCrocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 29] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 Set by: Mediator The address of the agent responsible for re-submitting the message. Forefficiency,efficiency this fieldshould beis often omitted if it contains the same address as RFC2822.Resent-From. However this does not mean there is no Resend-Sender specified. Rather, it means that that header field is virtual and that the address in the Resent-From field must be used. Specification of the error return addresses (the"bounces"Notification address, contained in RFC2821.MailFrom) is made by the Resent-Sender. Typically thebounceNotifications address is the same as the Resent-Sender address. However some usage scenarios require it to be different. RFC2822.Resent-To, RFC2822.Resent-cc, RFC2822.Resent-bcc:Actor: RecipientSet by: Mediator The addresses of the newrecipientsRecipients who will now be able to reply to the original author. RFC2821.MailFromActor: Mediating SourceSet by: Mediator The agent responsible for re-submission (RFC2822.Resent-Sender) is also responsible for specifying the newRFC2821.MailFromMailFrom address.RFC2821.Rcpt-to Actor: RecipientRFC2821.RcptTo Set by: Mediator This will contain the address of a newrecipientRecipient RFC2822.ReceivedCrocker Expires July 27, 2005 [Page 25] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture January 2005 Actor: Mediating SourceSet by: Mediator Whenre-sendingresending a message, the submission agent may record a Received header field, to indicate the transition from original posting to resubmission.6.2.3 MUA Reply When5.3 Mailing Lists Mailing lists have explicit email addresses and they forward messages to arecipient formulateslist of subscribed members. The Mailing List Actor performs aresponsetask that can be viewed as an elaboration of the ReDirector role. In addition toa message,sending the new messageis not typically viewed as beingto a"forwarding"potentially large number of Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 30] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 new Recipients, theoriginal. 6.2.4 MUA Gateways Gateways perform the basic routingMediator can modify content, such as deleting attachments, formatting conversion, andtransfer work of message relaying, but they also make any message or address modifications that are needed to sendadding list-specific comments. In addition, archiving list messages is common. Still, the messageintoretains characteristics of being "from" thenext messaging environment. Whenoriginal Originator. Identities relevant to agateway connects two differing messaging services, its rolemailing list processor, when submitting a message, include: RFC2919.List-id Set by: Mediator This provides a global mailing list naming framework that iseasy to identify and understand. Whenindependent of particular hosts. Although [RFC2919] is a standards-track specification, itconnects environments that have technical similarity, but may havehas not gained significantadministrative differences, it is easy to think thatadoption. RFC2369.List-* Set by: Mediator [RFC2369] defines agateway is merely an MTA.collection of message header fields for use by mailing lists. In effect, they supply list-specific parameters for common mailing list user operations. Thecritical distinguish between an MTAidentifiers for these operations are for the list, itself, anda gateway is thatthelatter modifies addresses and/or message content. A gateway may set any identity field available to a regular MUA. Identities typically set by gateways include:user-as-subscriber. RFC2822.FromActor:Set by: original Originator Names and email addresses for the original author(s) of the message content areretained. Asspecified. RFC2822.Reply-To Set by: original Originator or Mediator Mailing lists have introduced an ambiguity for the Reply-To field. Some List operations choose to force alloriginal addressing information inreplies to go to all list members. They achieve this by placing themessage,list address into thegateway may translate addresses in whatever way will allow them continueRFC2822.Reply-To field. Hence, direct, "private" replies only to the original author cannot beuseful inachieved by using thetarget environment. RFC2822.Reply-To Actor: Originator The gateway should retain this information, if it is originally present. The abilityMUA's typical "reply toperform a successful reply byauthor" function. If the author created agatewayed recipientReply-To field, its information isa typical test of gateway functionality.lost. Crocker ExpiresJuly 27,August 15, 2005 [Page26]31] Internet-Draft EMail ArchitectureJanuaryFebruary 2005 RFC2822.SenderActor:Set by: original Source or Mediator Thismay retainwill usually specify theoriginal value or may be set to a newaddressRFC2822.TO, RFC2822.CC, RFC2822.BCC Actor: Recipient These usually retain their original addresses. RFC2821.MailFrom Actor: Source Theof the agent responsible forgatewaying the message may choose to specifymailing list operations. However, some mailing lists operate in anew addressmanner very similar toreceive handling notices. RFC2822.Receive Actors - Source, Relay, Dest The gateway may recordaReceived header field, to indicate the transition from original posting to the new messaging environment. 6.2.5 MUA Alias Handling Asimplere-addressing facilityMTA Relay, so thatis available in most MDA implementations is called Aliasing. It is performed just before placing a message into the specified recipient's inbox. Instead, the message is submitted back to the transfer service, for delivery to one or more alternate addresses. Although implementedthey preserve aspart of the message delivery service, this facility is strictly a recipient user function. In effect it resubmits the message to a new address, on behalfmuch of thelisted recipient. What is most distinctive about this forwarding mechanism is how closely it compares to normal MTA store-and-forward. In reality its only interesting difference is that it changes the RFC2821.RCPT-TO value. Notably it does not typically changeoriginal handling information as possible, including theRFC2821.Mailfrom An MDA that is re-posting a message to an alias typically changes only envelope information: Crocker Expires July 27, 2005 [Page 27] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture January 2005 RFC2822.TO, RFC2822.CC, RFC2822.BCC Actor: Recipientoriginal RFC2822.Sender field. RFC2822.TO, RFC2822.CC Set by: original Originator Theseretain theirwill usually contain the originaladdresses. RFC2821.Rcpt-To Actor:list of RecipientThis field contains an alias address.addresses. RFC2821.MailFromActor: MediatingSet by: original SourceThe agent responsible for submission to an alias address will usually retainor Mediator This may contain the original address toreceive handling notifications. The benefitbe notified ofretainingtransmission issues, or the mailing list agent may set it to contain a new Notification address. Typically, theoriginal MailFromvalue is set toensurea new address, so that mailing list members and posters are not burdened with transmission-related Notifications. RFC2821.RcptTo Set by: Mediator This contains theorigination-side agent knowsaddress ofthat there has beenadelivery problem. On the other hand, the responsibility for the problem usually lies with the recipient, since the Alias mechanism is strictly under the recipient's control.mailing list member. RFC2821.ReceivedActor: Mediating Recipient The agentSet by: Mediator An Mailing List Agent should record a Receivedinformation,header field, to indicate thedelivery to thetransition from originaladdress and submissionposting tothe alias address.mailing list forwarding. ThetraceAgent may choose to have the message retain the original set of Received header fieldsshould include everything from original posting through final delivery to the alias. 6.2.6 MUA Mailing Lists Mailing lists have explicit email addresses and they forward messagesor may choose toa list of subscribed members. Mailing list processing is a user-level activity, outside ofremove them. In thecore email transfer service. The mailing list address is, therefore, associated with a distinct user-level entitylatter case, it should ensure thatcan perform arbitrary actions uponthe originalmessage, before submitting it to the mailing list membership. Hence, mailing lists are similar to gateways. Identities set by a mailing list processor, when submitting a message, include:Received header fields are otherwise available, to ensure later accountability and diagnostic access to it. Crocker ExpiresJuly 27,August 15, 2005 [Page28]32] Internet-Draft EMail ArchitectureJanuaryFebruary 2005RFC2919.List-id Actor: Mediating Originator This provides a global mailing list naming framework that is independent5.4 Gateways Gateways perform the basic routing and transfer work ofparticular hosts. Although [RFC2919] ismessage relaying, but they also make any message or address modifications that are needed to send the message into the next messaging environment. When astandards-track specification,Gateway connects two differing messaging services, its role is easy to identify and understand. When ithas not gainedconnects environments that have technical similarity, but may have significantadoption. RFC2369.List-* Actor: Mediating Recipient [RFC2369] definesadministrative differences, it is easy to think that acollection of message header fields for use by mailing lists. In effect, they supply list-specific parameters for common mailing list user operations.Gateway is merely an MTA. Theidentifiers for these operations are for the list, itself,critical distinction between an MTA and a Gateway is that theuser-as-subscriber.latter transforms addresses and/or message content, in order to map between the standards of two, different messaging services. In virtually all cases, this mapping process results in some degree of semantic loss. The challenge of Gateway design is to minimize this loss. A Gateway may set any identity field available to a regular MUA. Identities typically relevant to Gateways include: RFC2822.FromActor:Set by: original Originator Names and email addresses for the original author(s) of the message content arespecified. RFC2822.Reply-To Actor: Originator Mailing lists have introduced an ambiguityretained. As forthe Reply-To field. Some List operations choose to force all replies to go toalllist members. They achieve this by placing the list address into the RFC2822.Reply-To field. Hence, direct, "private" replies only to theoriginalauthor cannot be achieved by usingaddressing information in theMUA's typical "replymessage, the Gateway may translate addresses in whatever way will allow them continue toauthor" function. Ifbe useful in theauthor createdtarget environment. RFC2822.Reply-To Set by: original Originator The Gateway should retain this information, if it is originally present. The ability to perform aReply-To field, its informationsuccessful reply by a Gatewayed Recipient islost.a typical test of Gateway functionality. RFC2822.SenderActor:Set by: original Source or Mediator Thiswill usually specify the address ofmay retain theagent responsible for mailing list operations. However, some mailing lists operate in a manner very similaroriginal value or may be set to asimple MTA relay, so that they preserve as much of the original handling information as possible, including thenew address RFC2822.TO, RFC2822.CC, RFC2822.BCC Set by: originalRFC2822.Sender field.Recipient Crocker ExpiresJuly 27,August 15, 2005 [Page29]33] Internet-Draft EMail ArchitectureJanuaryFebruary 2005RFC2822.TO, RFC2822.CC Actor: Mediating RecipientThesewillusuallycontain theretain their originallist of recipientaddresses. RFC2821.MailFromActor: Mediating Source This may contain theSet by: originaladdress to be notified of transmission issues,Source orthe mailing listMediator The agentmay set it to contain a new notification address. Typically,responsible for gatewaying thevalue is setmessage may choose to specify a newaddress, so that mailing list members and posters are not burdened with transmission-related notifications. RFC2821.Rcpt-To Actor: Recipient This contains theaddressof a mailing list member. RFC2821.Received Actor: Mediating Recipient An Mailing List Agent shouldto receive handling notices. RFC2822.Received Set by: Mediator The Gateway may record a Received header field, to indicate the transition from original posting tomailing list forwarding. The Agent may choose to havethe new messaging environment. 5.5 Security Filter Organizations often enforce security boundaries by having messageretainsubjected to analysis for conformance with theoriginal setorganization's safety policies. Examples are detection ofReceived header fieldscontent classed as spam ormay choose to remove them. Ina virus. A Security Filter might alter thelatter case,content, to render itshould ensuresafe, such as by removing content deemed unacceptable. Typically these actions will result in the addition of content that records theoriginal Received header fields are otherwise available, to ensure later accountability and diagnostic access to it. 7.actions. 6. Security Considerations This document does not specify any new Internet mail functionality. Consequently it should introduce no new security considerations. However its discussion of the roles and responsibilities for different mail service modules, and the information they create, highlights the considerable security considerations that must be present when implementing any component of the Internet mail service.Crocker Expires July 27, 2005 [Page 30] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture January 2005 87. References 7.1 References - Normative [ID-hdr-reg] "Registration of mail and MIME header fields", draft-klyne-hdrreg-mail-04.txt (work in progress), Apr 2004.[ID-spamops] Hutzler, C., Crocker, D., Resnick, P., Sanderson, R. and E. Allman, "Email Submission Between Independent Networks", draft-spamops-00 (work in progress), March 2004.[RFC0821] Postel, J., "Simple Mail Transfer Protocol", STD 10, RFC 821, August 1982. Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 34] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 [RFC0822] Crocker, D., "Standard for the format of ARPA Internet text messages", STD 11, RFC 822, August 1982. [RFC1034] Mockapetris, P., "Domain names - concepts and facilities", STD 13, RFC 1034, November 1987. [RFC1035] Mockapetris, P., "Domain names - implementation and specification", STD 13, RFC 1035, November 1987. [RFC1939] Myers, J. and M. Rose, "Post Office Protocol - Version 3", STD 53, RFC 1939, May 1996. [RFC2033] Myers, J., "Local Mail Transfer Protocol", RFC 2033, October 1996. [RFC2045] Freed, N. and N. Borenstein, "Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) Part One: Format of Internet Message Bodies", RFC 2045, November 1996. [RFC2046] Freed, N. and N. Borenstein, "Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) Part Two: Media Types", RFC 2046, November 1996. [RFC2047] Moore, K., "MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions) Part Three: Message Header Extensions for Non-ASCII Text", RFC 2047, November 1996. [RFC2048] Freed, N., Klensin, J. and J. Postel, "Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) Part Four: Registration Procedures", BCP 13, RFC 2048, November 1996. [RFC2049] Freed, N. and N. Borenstein, "Multipurpose Internet MailCrocker Expires July 27, 2005 [Page 31] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture January 2005Extensions (MIME) Part Five: Conformance Criteria and Examples", RFC 2049, November 1996. [RFC2181] Elz, R. and R. Bush, "Clarifications to the DNS Specification", RFC 2181, July 1997. [RFC2298] Fajman, R., "An Extensible Message Format for Message Disposition Notifications", RFC 2298, March 1998. [RFC2304] Allocchio, C., "Minimal FAX address format in Internet Mail", RFC 2304, March 1998. [RFC2369] Neufeld, G. and J. Baer, "The Use of URLs as Meta-Syntax for Core Mail List Commands and their Transport through Message Header Fields", RFC 2369, July 1998. Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 35] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 [RFC2421] Vaudreuil, G. and G. Parsons, "Voice Profile for Internet Mail - version 2", RFC 2421, September 1998. [RFC2423] Vaudreuil, G. and G. Parsons, "VPIM Voice Message MIME Sub-type Registration", RFC 2423, September 1998. [RFC2442] "The Batch SMTP Media Type", RFC 2442, November 1998. [RFC2476] Gellens, R. and J. Klensin, "Message Submission", RFC 2476, December 1998. [RFC2645] "On-Demand Mail Relay (ODMR) SMTP with Dynamic IP Addresses", RFC 2465, August 1999.[RFC2782] Gulbrandsen, A., Vixie, P. and L. Esibov, "A DNS RR for specifying the location of services (DNS SRV)", RFC 2782, February 2000.[RFC2821] Klensin, J., "Simple Mail Transfer Protocol", RFC 2821, April 2001. [RFC2822] Resnick, P., "Internet Message Format", RFC 2822, April 2001. [RFC2919] Chandhok, R. and G. Wenger, "List-Id: A Structured Field and Namespace for the Identification of Mailing Lists", RFC 2919, March 2001. [RFC3028] Showalter, T., "Sieve: A Mail Filtering Language", RFC 3028, January 2001. [RFC3297] Klyne, G., Iwazaki, R. and D. Crocker, "Content Negotiation for Messaging Services based on Email", RFC 3297, July 2002. [RFC3458] Burger, E., Candell, E., Eliot, C. and G. Klyne, "Message Context for Internet Mail", RFC 3458, January 2003. [RFC3461] Moore, K., "Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) ServiceCrocker Expires July 27, 2005 [Page 32] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture January 2005Extension for Delivery Status Notifications (DSNs)", RFC 3461, January 2003. [RFC3501] Crispin, M., "Internet Message Access Protocol - Version 4rev1", RFC 3501, March 2003. 7.2 Reference - Descriptive [ID-ffpim] Crocker, D. and G. Klyne, "Full-mode Fax Profile for Internet Mail: FFPIM", March 2004. [ID-spamops] Crocker Expires August 15, 2005 [Page 36] Internet-Draft EMail Architecture February 2005 Hutzler, C., Crocker, D., Resnick, P., Sanderson, R. and E. Allman, "Email Submission Between Independent Networks", draft-spamops-00 (work in progress), March 2004. [RFC1767] Crocker, D., "MIME Encapsulation of EDI Objects", RFC 1767, March 1995. Author's Address Dave Crocker Brandenburg InternetWorking 675 Spruce Drive Sunnyvale, CA 94086 USA Phone: +1.408.246.8253 EMail: dcrocker@bbiw.net Appendix A. AcknowledgementsThe Email Architecture sectionThis work derives from a section in draft-hutzler-spamops [ID-spamops].The text has been further elaborated.Discussion of the Source actor role was greatly clarified during discussions in the IETF's Marid working group. Graham Klyne, Pete Resnick and Steve Atkins provided thoughtful insight on the framework and details of early drafts. Additional review and suggestions were provided by Nathaniel Borenstein, Ed Bradford, Cyrus Daboo, Frank Ellermann, Tony Finch, Ned Freed, Eric Hall, Bruce Lilly,Eric Hall,Mark E. Mallett, Chris Newman, Daryl Odnert, Rahmat M. Samik-Ibrahim, Hector Santos, JochenTopf.Topf, Willemien. Crocker ExpiresJuly 27,August 15, 2005 [Page33]37] Internet-Draft EMail ArchitectureJanuaryFebruary 2005 Intellectual Property Statement The IETF takes no position regarding the validity or scope of any Intellectual Property Rights or other rights that might be claimed to pertain to the implementation or use of the technology described in this document or the extent to which any license under such rights might or might not be available; nor does it represent that it has made any independent effort to identify any such rights. Information on the procedures with respect to rights in RFC documents can be found in BCP 78 and BCP 79. Copies of IPR disclosures made to the IETF Secretariat and any assurances of licenses to be made available, or the result of an attempt made to obtain a general license or permission for the use of such proprietary rights by implementers or users of this specification can be obtained from the IETF on-line IPR repository at http://www.ietf.org/ipr. The IETF invites any interested party to bring to its attention any copyrights, patents or patent applications, or other proprietary rights that may cover technology that may be required to implement this standard. Please address the information to the IETF at ietf-ipr@ietf.org. Disclaimer of Validity This document and the information contained herein are provided on an "AS IS" basis and THE CONTRIBUTOR, THE ORGANIZATION HE/SHE REPRESENTS OR IS SPONSORED BY (IF ANY), THE INTERNET SOCIETY AND THE INTERNET ENGINEERING TASK FORCE DISCLAIM ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTY THAT THE USE OF THE INFORMATION HEREIN WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY RIGHTS OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Copyright Statement Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2005). This document is subject to the rights, licenses and restrictions contained in BCP 78, and except as set forth therein, the authors retain all their rights. Acknowledgment Funding for the RFC Editor function is currently provided by the Internet Society. Crocker ExpiresJuly 27,August 15, 2005 [Page34]38] ----