RFC 1149

RFC 1149 is an experimental Request for Comments document published on April 1, 1990, authored by David Waitzman. It formally proposes a method for transmitting Internet Protocol datagrams using homing pigeons, framing the concept within the precise technical language typical of the Internet Engineering Task Force. While created as an April Fools' Day joke, the document has been discussed within networking circles, inspired real-world tests, and achieved significant notoriety in Internet culture.

Overview

The document humorously addresses perceived limitations in early 1990s network technology by proposing a biologically inspired data carrier system. It positions avian carriers as a potential solution for high-latency, high-throughput scenarios where conventional telecommunications infrastructure might be lacking. The proposal is written in the serious, dry style characteristic of other Internet Engineering Task Force documents, such as those defining protocols like Transmission Control Protocol or User Datagram Protocol. This juxtaposition of absurd content with formal technical writing is central to its enduring appeal and its place alongside other humorous April Fools' Day documents like RFC 2549.

Technical specification

The specification details a protocol for encapsulating IP datagrams within avian payloads. It defines a network layer service where the carrier pigeon functions as an unreliable, connectionless link, analogous to early packet radio networks. Key technical considerations outlined include the need for a leg band for point-to-point protocol negotiation and the recommendation of a cargo net for transporting multiple avian units. The document notes inherent limitations, such as the potential for natural selection to impact packet loss and the difficulty of implementing a quality of service mechanism. It also briefly compares the proposed carrier's bit rate favorably to that of a Texas Instruments TI-99/4A modem.

Implementation and testing

A notable real-world implementation occurred on April 28, 2001, in Bergen, Norway, conducted by the Linux User Group of the region. The group successfully transmitted a ping command via nine pigeons, each carrying an ICMP echo request packet, from a farm in Jonsvatnet to a venue in downtown Bergen. The test, humorously analyzed with the seriousness of a NASA mission, reported a packet loss of 55% and an average round-trip time of over one hour. This experiment was later formally documented in a subsequent Internet Draft and received coverage from media outlets like the BBC. A separate test was conducted in 2020 using a Raspberry Pi and Twitter API to demonstrate the concept with modern microcontroller technology.

Cultural impact

The document has become a legendary piece of Internet folklore, frequently cited in discussions about network latency and unconventional computing. It inspired several related April Fools' Day RFCs, including RFC 2549, which adds quality of service for avian carriers, and RFC 6214, which adapts the concept for use with cellular carrier pigeon networks. Its influence extends into popular culture, being referenced in technology publications like Wired, episodes of television series such as *Silicon Valley*, and discussions at major tech conferences like DEF CON. The concept is often used as a humorous benchmark in computer science education to explain fundamental networking principles.

Related RFCs

The legacy of this document is carried forward by several subsequent humorous RFCs within the same thematic series. RFC 2549, "IP over Avian Carriers with Quality of Service," expands upon the original specification. RFC 6214, "Adaptation of RFC 1149 for IPv6," updates the protocol for the next-generation Internet Protocol version 6. Other related documents include RFC 2324, which defines the Hyper Text Coffee Pot Control Protocol, and RFC 3251, which details electricity over IP. These works collectively form a canon of April Fools' Day engineering literature maintained by the Internet Engineering Task Force.

Category:Request for Comments Category:April Fools' Day Category:Internet folklore Category:1990 documents