Network Working Group R. Callon, Editor

Request for Comments: 1925 IOOF

Category: Informational 1 April 1996

                  The Twelve Networking Truths

Status of this Memo

This memo provides information for the Internet community. This memo

does not specify an Internet standard of any kind. Distribution of

this memo is unlimited.

Abstract

This memo documents the fundamental truths of networking for the

Internet community. This memo does not specify a standard, except in

the sense that all standards must implicitly follow the fundamental

truths.

Acknowledgements

The truths described in this memo result from extensive study over an

extended period of time by many people, some of whom did not intend

to contribute to this work. The editor merely has collected these

truths, and would like to thank the networking community for

originally illuminating these truths.

1. Introduction

This Request for Comments (RFC) provides information about the

fundamental truths underlying all networking. These truths apply to

networking in general, and are not limited to TCP/IP, the Internet,

or any other subset of the networking community.

2. The Fundamental Truths

(1) It Has To Work.

(2) No matter how hard you push and no matter what the priority,

    you can't increase the speed of light.

    (2a) (corollary). No matter how hard you try, you can't make a

         baby in much less than 9 months. Trying to speed this up

         *might* make it slower, but it won't make it happen any

         quicker.

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RFC 1925 Fundamental Truths of Networking 1 April 1996

(3) With sufficient thrust, pigs fly just fine. However, this is

    not necessarily a good idea. It is hard to be sure where they

    are going to land, and it could be dangerous sitting under them

    as they fly overhead.

(4) Some things in life can never be fully appreciated nor

    understood unless experienced firsthand. Some things in

    networking can never be fully understood by someone who neither

    builds commercial networking equipment nor runs an operational

    network.

(5) It is always possible to aglutenate multiple separate problems

    into a single complex interdependent solution. In most cases

    this is a bad idea.

(6) It is easier to move a problem around (for example, by moving

    the problem to a different part of the overall network

    architecture) than it is to solve it.

    (6a) (corollary). It is always possible to add another level of

         indirection.

(7) It is always something

    (7a) (corollary). Good, Fast, Cheap: Pick any two (you can't

        have all three).

(8) It is more complicated than you think.

(9) For all resources, whatever it is, you need more.

   (9a) (corollary) Every networking problem always takes longer to

        solve than it seems like it should.

(10) One size never fits all.

(11) Every old idea will be proposed again with a different name and

    a different presentation, regardless of whether it works.

    (11a) (corollary). See rule 6a.

(12) In protocol design, perfection has been reached not when there

    is nothing left to add, but when there is nothing left to take

    away.

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RFC 1925 Fundamental Truths of Networking 1 April 1996

Security Considerations

This RFC raises no security issues. However, security protocols are

subject to the fundamental networking truths.

References

The references have been deleted in order to protect the guilty and

avoid enriching the lawyers.

Author's Address

Ross Callon

Internet Order of Old Farts

c/o Bay Networks

3 Federal Street

Billerica, MA 01821

Phone: 508-436-3936

EMail: rcallon@baynetworks.com

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