NNTP Protocol


"NNTP" stands for Net News Transfer Protocol, as specified in RFC977, with extensions in common practice.

NNTP is a TCP/IP protocol based upon text strings sent bidirectionally over 7 bit ASCII TCP channels. It is used to transfer articles between servers as well as to read and post articles.
Articles are transmitted in the form specified by RFC1036.

This page of the Usenet RKT is a convenient reference to the major sections of
, which are split for easy reference.
(Note: Reading the complete documents at least once is worthwhile.)

The form of the three digit responses is available as: RFC977 2.4.2. Status Responses
The form of the commands is available as: RFC977 3. Command and Response Details



Area of DevelopmentWant to learn more about
NNTP: GeneralRFC977 4.7.2. Responses
RFC977 3. Command and Response Details
RFC977 4. Sample Conversations
NNTP: News TransferRFC1036 Standard Usenet Message Format
RFC977 3.4. The IHAVE command
NNTP-Ext 1. Transport Extensions
NNTP-Ext 1.1.1 The CHECK command
NNTP-Ext 1.2.1 The MODE STREAM command
NNTP-Ext 1.3.1 The TAKETHIS command
NNTP-Ext 1.4.1 The XREPLIC command
RFC977 3.12. The SLAVE command

NNTP: News readers/clientsRFC1036 Standard Usenet Message Format
NNTP-Ext 2.3 MODE READER
NNTP-Ext 2.2 LISTGROUP
RFC977 3.2. The GROUP command
NNTP-Ext 2.8 XOVER
RFC977 3.1. The ARTICLE, BODY, HEAD, and STAT commands
RFC977 3.7. The NEWGROUPS command
RFC977 3.8. The NEWNEWS command NOTE: disabled
on many servers due to heavy CPU/IO requirements.
RFC977 3.10. The POST command
RFC977 3.5. The LAST command
RFC977 3.9. The NEXT command
RFC977 3.6. The LIST command
RFC977 3.11. The QUIT command
NNTP: Other commandsRFC977 3.3. The HELP command
NNTP-Ext 2.1.1 Extensions to the LIST command
NNTP-Ext 2.1.2 LIST ACTIVE
NNTP-Ext 2.1.3 LIST ACTIVE.TIMES
NNTP-Ext 2.1.4 LIST DISTRIBUTIONS
NNTP-Ext 2.1.5 LIST DISTRIB.PATS
NNTP-Ext 2.1.6 LIST NEWSGROUPS
NNTP-Ext 2.1.7 LIST OVERVIEW.FMT
NNTP-Ext 2.1.8 LIST SUBSCRIPTIONS
NNTP-Ext 2.4 XGTITLE
NNTP-Ext 2.6 XHDR
NNTP-Ext 2.7 XINDEX
NNTP-Ext 2.9 XPAT
NNTP-Ext 2.10 The XPATH command
NNTP-Ext 2.11 The XROVER command
NNTP-Ext 2.12 XTHREAD
NNTP-Ext 3. Other Extensions
NNTP-Ext 3.1 AUTHINFO


More Detailed Topics
RFC977 as a single document at: http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/htbin/rfc/rfc977.html
RFC1036 as a single document at: http://www.cis.ohio-state.edu/htbin/rfc/rfc1036.html
The Common NNTP Extensions document is available as a single document at:
ftp://ftp.ietf.org/internet-drafts/draft-barber-nntp-imp-07.txt
IETF NNTP Working Group The group responsible for discussion of NNTP and extensions has a page and a mailing list which has on-line archives.

Overview and Related Topics
Usenet RKT (coming later!)How does INN transfer articles?
Usenet RKT The Various Parts of INN



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Copyright 1997, Forrest J. Cavalier III, Mib Software, INN customization and consulting