RFC1226 - Internet protocol encapsulation of AX.25 frames

Network Working Group B. Kantor

Request for Comments: 1226 Univ. of Calif San Diego

May 1991

Internet Protocol Encapsulation of AX.25 Frames

Status of this Memo

This memo describes a method for the encapsulation of AX.25 (the

Amateur Packet-Radio Link-Layer Protocol) frames within IP packets.

This technique is an EXPerimental Protocol for the Internet

community. Discussion and suggestions for improvement are requested.

Please refer to the current edition of the "IAB Official Protocol

Standards" for the standardization state and status of this protocol.

Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

The AX.25 Amateur Packet-Radio Link-Layer Protocol

The AX.25 Amateur Packet-Radio Link-Layer Protocol is described in

the publication by that name [1], incorporated here by reference.

Each AX.25 packet ("frame") is encapsulated in one IP datagram.

Normally no AX.25 frame will exceed 330 octets, so fragmentation at

the IP layer should not be necessary. However, experiments with

larger AX.25 frame sizes may require the use of standard IP

fragmentation and reassembly procedures.

When an AX.25 frame is encapsulated within an IP packet, HDLC framing

elements (flags and zero-stuffing) are omitted, as the IP datagram

adequately delimits the beginning and end of each AX.25 frame. The

16-bit CRC-CCITT frame check sequence (normally generated by the HDLC

transmission hardware) is included. In all other respects, AX.25

frames are encapsulated unaltered.

Each sUCh IP datagram shall have a protocol number of 93.

Reference

[1] AX.25 Amateur Packet-Radio Link-Layer Protocol Version 2.0

October 1984. Available from the American Radio Relay League,

Newington CT USA 06111, and other sources.

Security Considerations

Security issues are not discussed in this memo.

Author's Address

Brian Kantor

University of California at San Diego

Network Operations C-024

La Jolla, CA 92093-0214

Phone: (619) 534-6865

EMail:

brian@UCSD.EDU