Federal Information Processing Standards Publications (FIPS PUBS) are issued by the National Institute of Standards and Technology after approval by the Secretary of Commerce pursuant to Section 111(d) of the Federal Property and Administrative Services Act of 1949, as amended by the Computer Security Act of 1987, Public Law 100-235.

1. Name of Standard. Profiles for Open Systems Internetworking Technologies (POSIT) (FIPS PUB 146-2).

2. Category of Standard. Hardware and Software Standards, Computer Network Protocols.

3. Explanation. FIPS 146-1 adopted the Government Open Systems Interconnection Profile (GOSIP) which defines a common set of Open Systems Interconnection (OSI) protocols that enable systems developed by different vendors to interoperate and the users of different applications on those systems to exchange information. This change modifies FIPS 146-1 by removing the requirement that Federal agencies specify GOSIP protocols when they acquire networking products and services and communications systems and services. This change references additional specifications that Federal agencies may use in acquiring data communications protocols.

4. Approving Authority. Secretary of Commerce.

5. Maintenance Agency. U. S. Department of Commerce, National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), Computer Systems Laboratory (CSL).

6. Related Documents.

a. NIST Special Publication 500-217, Industry Government Open Systems Specification (IGOSS), or subsequent versions, May 1994.

b. Internet Official Protocol Standards, Internet RFC 1610, or subsequent versions.

c. NIST Special Publication 500-224, Stable Implementation Agreements for Open Systems Interconnection Protocols, or subsequent versions. (NOTE: This reference is the most recent version of the Stable Implementation Agreements. The Stable Implementation Agreements are updated at regular intervals, but no more than once a year. Interested parties should contact NIST for information about the latest available version).

d. NISTIR 5438, Industry/Government Open Systems Specification Testing Framework, or subsequent versions, June 1994.

• to promote interconnection and interoperability of computers and systems that are acquired from different manufacturers in an open systems environment;

• to reduce the costs of computer network systems by increasing alternative sources of supply;

• to facilitate the use of advanced technology by the Federal Government;

• to provide guidance for the acquisition and use of networking products implementing open, voluntary standards such as those developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), the International Telecommunication Union, Telecommunication Standardization Sector (ITU-T; formerly the Consultative Committee on International Telegraph and Telephone [CCITT]), and the International Organization for Standardization (ISO).

9. Applicability. Open, voluntary standards should be used by Federal Government agencies when acquiring computer networking products and services and communications systems or services.

10. Implementation. The Industry Government Open Systems Specification (IGOSS) issued as NIST Special Publication 500-217 updates the OSI protocols in FIPS 146-1 and may be used immediately by Federal Government agencies when they wish to acquire computer networking products and services and communications systems or services that are based on OSI standards.

In addition, other specifications based on open, voluntary standards such as those cited in paragraph 7 may be used.

The National Institute of Standards and Technology has described a testing program in IGOSS Industry/Government Open Systems Specification Testing Framework, (NISTIR 5438). This testing is voluntary and limited to the protocols that conform to the standards included in the IGOSS. However, this and other test methodologies may be adapted for use in testing compliance to other profiles whenever government agencies have demonstrable need for more stringent testing.

11. Special Information. The National Institute of Standards and Technology plans to work with other government agencies and with industry to develop additional profiles based on open, voluntary standards and to publish these profiles in separate documents.

Interoperability is a key requirement for the effective usage of information technology. Consequently, Federal agencies are strongly encouraged to acquire components that have either been tested for interoperability or otherwise demonstrably meet the agencies' interoperability requirements. The appropriate extent of such testing will be determined by the affinity groups developing the profiles and by the acquiring agencies.

12. Where to Obtain Copies. Copies of this publication are for sale by the National Technical Information Service (NTIS), U.S. Department of Commerce, Springfield, VA 22161. When ordering, refer to Federal Information Processing Standards Publication 146-2 (FIPSPUB146-2), and title. Specify microfiche if desired. Payment may be made by check, money order, or NTIS deposit account.