DDN MGT Bulletin: 9507         DISA DDN Defense Communications System
25 April 1995                  Published by: DDN Network Info Center
                               (NIC@NIC.DDN.MIL)  (800) 365-3642
     
                 DEFENSE  DATA  NETWORK
                 MANAGEMENT  BULLETIN
     
The DDN MANAGEMENT BULLETIN is distributed online by the DDN Network 
Information Center under DISA contract as a means of communicating 
official policy, procedures and other information of concern to 
management personnel at DDN facilities.  Back issues may be read 
through the TACNEWS server ("@n" command at the TAC) or may be 
obtained by FTP (or Kermit) from the NIC.DDN.MIL host [192.112.36.5] 
using login="anonymous" and password="guest".  The pathname
for bulletins is ddn-news/ddn-mgt-bulletin-nn.txt (where "nn" is the 
bulletin number).

***********************************************************************

SUBJECT: DoD-Wide Implementation of the SMTP Postmaster Convention

REQUEST NODE SITE COORDINATORS AND HOST ADMINISTRATORS DISSEMINATE THIS
INFORMATION TO ALL E-MAIL HOST ADMINISTRATORS.  THIS IS ONE OF SEVERAL  
ANNOUNCEMENTS DESIGNED TO IMPROVE E-MAIL SERVICES WITHIN THE DOD.

1. In compliance with Request for Comment (RFC) 1123 (Requirements for 
Internet Hosts--Application and Support), RFC 1173 (Responsibilities of 
Host and Network Manager), and RFC 822 (Standard for ARPA Internet Text 
Messages), all SMTP e-mail hosts connected to DDN/DISN or within the .MIL 
domain, are required to establish a Postmaster account.

     a.  It often is necessary to send mail to a site, without knowing any 
of its valid addresses.  For example, there may be mail system dysfunction, 
or a user may wish to find out a person's correct address, at that site.

     b.  The standard specifies a single, reserved mailbox address 
(local-part) which is to be valid at each site.  Mail sent to that address 
is to be routed to a person responsible for the site's mail system or to a 
person with responsibility for general site operation.  The name of the 
reserved local-part address is:

                         Postmaster

so that "Postmaster@domain" is required to be valid.

Note:  This reserved local-part must be matched without sensitivity to 
alphabetic case, so that "POSTMASTER", "postmaster", and even "poStmASteR" 
is to be accepted.

2.  The establishment of the Postmaster account on DOD e-mail hosts will 
allow the DDN NIC to promulgate pertinent information regarding e-mail 
management and improvements to the DOD community.

3. Please refer any technical questions to the DDN Network Information 
Center at 1-800-365-3642 (1-800-365-DNIC).  POC for this bulletin is Maj 
Paciorkowski, DISA/WE3353, (703)735-8065/DSN 653-8065.