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diff --git a/Documentation/networking/x25.rst b/Documentation/networking/x25.rst new file mode 100644 index 000000000000..00e45d384ba0 --- /dev/null +++ b/Documentation/networking/x25.rst @@ -0,0 +1,48 @@ +.. SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-2.0 + +================== +Linux X.25 Project +================== + +As my third year dissertation at University I have taken it upon myself to +write an X.25 implementation for Linux. My aim is to provide a complete X.25 +Packet Layer and a LAPB module to allow for "normal" X.25 to be run using +Linux. There are two sorts of X.25 cards available, intelligent ones that +implement LAPB on the card itself, and unintelligent ones that simply do +framing, bit-stuffing and checksumming. These both need to be handled by the +system. + +I therefore decided to write the implementation such that as far as the +Packet Layer is concerned, the link layer was being performed by a lower +layer of the Linux kernel and therefore it did not concern itself with +implementation of LAPB. Therefore the LAPB modules would be called by +unintelligent X.25 card drivers and not by intelligent ones, this would +provide a uniform device driver interface, and simplify configuration. + +To confuse matters a little, an 802.2 LLC implementation for Linux is being +written which will allow X.25 to be run over an Ethernet (or Token Ring) and +conform with the JNT "Pink Book", this will have a different interface to +the Packet Layer but there will be no confusion since the class of device +being served by the LLC will be completely separate from LAPB. The LLC +implementation is being done as part of another protocol project (SNA) and +by a different author. + +Just when you thought that it could not become more confusing, another +option appeared, XOT. This allows X.25 Packet Layer frames to operate over +the Internet using TCP/IP as a reliable link layer. RFC1613 specifies the +format and behaviour of the protocol. If time permits this option will also +be actively considered. + +A linux-x25 mailing list has been created at vger.kernel.org to support the +development and use of Linux X.25. It is early days yet, but interested +parties are welcome to subscribe to it. Just send a message to +majordomo@vger.kernel.org with the following in the message body: + +subscribe linux-x25 +end + +The contents of the Subject line are ignored. + +Jonathan + +g4klx@g4klx.demon.co.uk |