Overview
ISO/IEC 13712-1:1995, "Information technology - Remote Operations: Concepts, model and notation," defines the conceptual model, notation and ASN.1 information-object classes for the Remote Operations Service (ROS). The standard describes abstract ROS concepts such as Operation, Error, Operation package, Connection package, Association contract, ROS-object class, Code and Priority, and supplies a generic set of protocol data units (PDUs) that can be used to realize remote operations between distributed objects. It is identical in text to ITU‑T Recommendation X.880 and is a partial revision of earlier ISO/IEC 9072 parts.
Key topics and technical requirements
- ASN.1-based notation: Uses Abstract Syntax Notation One (ASN.1) to define information object classes corresponding to ROS concepts, enabling precise specification and reuse.
- Abstract ROS model: Formal definitions for invoker/performer interactions, operation invocation, outcome reporting, and error handling.
- Generic PDUs and protocol elements: Defines common PDUs and generic protocol constructs such as Invoke, Return result, Return error, Reject, Bind and Unbind, plus invoke identifiers and error categories.
- Utility definitions: Provides useful behaviours and patterns (e.g., Empty bind/unbind, Refuse, No-op, Forward/Reverse, ConsumerPerforms/SupplierPerforms, AllOperations, switch/recode/combine) to guide designers.
- Annexes and examples: Annex A contains ASN.1 modules (integral). Informative annexes B–D include notation guidelines, worked examples (operations, bind/unbind, association contracts, migrating from ROS macros), and object identifier assignments.
- No mandatory conformance: The standard supplies a model and notation for designers; it does not impose mandatory conformance requirements.
Applications
ISO/IEC 13712-1 is applicable to:
- Designing distributed applications that rely on remote invocation semantics.
- Specifying application-level protocols where one object invokes operations performed by another across a network.
- Implementations of OSI-based Remote Operations Service Element (ROSE) - used with the companion parts ISO/IEC 13712-2 (service definition) and 13712-3 (protocol specification).
- Telecommunications, network management, distributed databases and middleware that require formal operation and error modelling.
Who should use this standard
- Protocol designers and architects creating remote operation interfaces.
- Software engineers implementing ROSE or ASN.1-based PDUs.
- System integrators and standards engineers working with OSI/ITU ecosystems.
- Technical authors drafting formal operation and error specifications for distributed systems.
Related standards and keywords
Related: ISO/IEC 13712-2, ISO/IEC 13712-3, ISO/IEC 8824 (ASN.1), ISO/IEC 7498-1 (OSI Reference Model), ITU‑T X.880.
Important keywords: Remote Operations Service (ROS), ASN.1, PDUs, ROSE, OSI, operation invocation, protocol specification, ISO/IEC 13712-1:1995, ITU‑T X.880.