Overview
ISO/IEC 9072-3:1996 defines the Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement (PICS) proforma for the Remote Operations protocol (ROSE) specified in CCITT Rec. X.229 / ISO/IEC 9072-2:1989. Published as an ISO/IEC standard and identical to ITU‑T X.249, this document supplies a standardized questionnaire-style proforma (Annex A) that suppliers and test laboratories use to declare which ROSE protocol capabilities and options an implementation supports. The proforma follows guidance in ITU‑T X.296 / ISO/IEC 9646-7 on PICS content and format, and is intended to support conformance testing and interoperability assessment.
Key topics and requirements
- PICS proforma structure: Itemized questionnaire rows for each capability or mandatory function, including item number, description, Status and Support fields, and instructions for completion.
- Identification elements: Fields to identify the implementation, supplier, test laboratory client, date of statement, and implemented corrigenda or implementors’ guide versions.
- Protocol identification: High-level declaration of which CCITT Rec. X.229 / ISO/IEC 9072-2 specifications and technical corrigenda are implemented.
- Capabilities and options: Detailed tables for capabilities such as supported ROSE APDUs on origination and reception (e.g., ROIV, RORS, ROER, RORJ), invocation/return problem handling (Invoke problem, ReturnResult problem, ReturnError problem), and other protocol options.
- Conformance rules: A conforming PICS must be technically equivalent to the published proforma, preserve item numbering/ordering, and include enough information to uniquely identify supplier and implementation.
- Multi-layer dependencies: Sections to list upper- and lower-layer dependencies that affect ROSE behavior and conformance.
Practical applications
- Conformance testing: Use the PICS during formal conformance testing processes to document implemented features and enable objective test selection.
- Interoperability assurance: Suppliers use the proforma to disclose supported ROSE capabilities so integrators and partners can assess interoperability potential.
- Procurement and certification: Buyers and certification bodies leverage completed PICS documents to compare implementations against ISO/IEC 9072-2 requirements.
- Product documentation: Vendors include completed PICS with technical documentation to make supported options transparent to users and maintainers.
Who will use this standard
- Protocol implementers and software vendors implementing ROSE (ISO/IEC 9072-2)
- Test laboratories and conformance testers
- System integrators and QA teams assessing interoperability
- Procurement officers and certification bodies evaluating compliance
Related standards
Keywords: ISO/IEC 9072-3, PICS proforma, Remote Operations, ROSE, CCITT X.229, conformance testing, implementation conformance, interoperability, ITU‑T X.249.
Open preview (PDF)Information technology — Open Systems Interconnection — Remote Operations: Protocol Implementation Conformance Statement (PICS) proforma
