Re: Content-length: - Re: Implementing SMTP server: some questions.

[Urs Eppenberger <[e-mail]>]

It is correct, we are talking about a file format, not about the Internet.
The whole discussion is going in the direction of an API between MTAs and
UAs using a shared file. If this is still an IETF job to define is not
clear to me. There is some serious disagreement even within IESG/IAB on
this matter.

Stef is introducing a totally new term, the 'core Internet'. This term
is absolutely and totally wrong and against all Internet history. We
tried to use the same protocols all over between main frames and workstations,
on LAN, MAN and WAN environment. There is no such thing as the core Internet
and we should avoid it like hell. (We might agree on other issues, Stef,
but definitely not on this one. ;-))

We have implementors for SMTP servers, IMAP and POP servers, and Mail UAs.
If a service provider wants to install an SMTP server and a POP server to
relay messages, then the two products need to agree on the file format to
exchange the messages. Maybe this is a case where IETF could assist and
define an API.

Kind regards,

Urs.