ietf-nntp MODE READER
Clive D.W. Feather
clive at demon.net
Wed Jul 19 01:09:39 PDT 2000
Okay, I think I understand what's going on with MODE READER now. So here is
a proposed rewrite.
7. The GREETING Step
7.1 Initial Connection
[Text up to the 7.1.1 heading unchanged and omitted here.]
[New section]
7.2 Types of client
Historically, some servers distinguish two types of client:
* "push" clients, whose main purpose is to send articles using IHAVE.
* "pull" clients, whose main purpose is to read articles using ARTICLE.
Each type of client may be prohibited from using commands appropriate
to the other or may be restricted in other ways. Such servers will
assume that a client is a push client until told otherwise using the
MODE READER command.
Servers SHOULD NOT alter their behaviour depending on whether or not
the client has used the MODE READER command. Any authentication SHOULD
be done using the identity of the client (e.g. its IP address) or
separate authentication extensions. Server authors are encouraged to
remove any side-effects of MODE READER.
Clients SHOULD issue a MODE READER command as the first command if
they intend to use the GROUP, ARTICLE, HEAD, BODY, STATUS, or POST
commands during the connection. They SHOULD NOT do so if they intend
to use the IHAVE command.
[Note the renumbering from 7.1.1.]
7.3 MODE READER
MODE READER
MODE READER MAY be used by the client to indicate to the server that
it is a news reading ("pull") client as described in section 7.2.
This command may be entered at any time. The server MUST present a
response code appropriate to the server's ability to provide service
to this client in this mode.
7.3.1 Responses
200 posting permitted
201 posting prohibited
400 service temporarily unavailable
502 service permanently unavailable
[Note the change in format from example comments to explanation. I think
this is a better approach and I'm doing it whenever I provide new text.]
Following a 400 or 502 response the server MUST immediately close the
connection.
Note that the response need not be the same as the initial greeting.
7.3.2 MODE READER Examples
Example of use of the MODE READER command by an authorized
client
[C] MODE READER
[S] 200 NNTP Service Ready, posting permitted
Client can send commands at this point.
[Delete the stuff about jumping to QUIT; it's irrelevant.]
Example of use of MODE READER by a client not authorized to
receive service from the server as a news reader
[C] MODE READER
[S] 502 Service Unavailable
At this point, the server closes the TCP connection.
Example of a normal connection from an authorized client that
is not permitted to post
[C] MODE READER
[S] 201 NNTP Service Ready, posting prohibited
Client can send commands at this point.
Example of a connection from any client where the server is
unable to provide news reader service
[C] MODE READER
[S] 400 NNTP Service temporarily unavailable
At this point, the server closes the TCP connection.
--
Clive D.W. Feather | Work: <clive at demon.net> | Tel: +44 20 8371 1138
Internet Expert | Home: <clive at davros.org> | Fax: +44 20 8371 1037
Demon Internet | WWW: http://www.davros.org | DFax: +44 20 8371 4037
Thus plc | | Mobile: +44 7973 377646
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