Network := a collection of ports (not necessarily interconnected) sounds a bit counterintuitive. However, it agrees with the definitions of a graph. A collection of n vertices (nodes) and no edges (links) is also a graph. MP -----Original Message----- From: Freek Dijkstra [mailto:Freek.Dijkstra@sara.nl] Sent: Wednesday, October 14, 2009 16:02 To: Network Markup Language Working Group Subject: [Nml-wg] "Service" and "Network" definitions Hi all, At OGF 27, there was general consensus among the attendees on the following two definitions. Network := A collection of Ports Service := A service object describes a certain capability being offered by a Network Object. As per our policy [1], this has to be ratified on the mailing list. If you agree or disagree with these definitions, please reply within two weeks. Ralph Niederberger already objected against the first definition, and proposed to change it to: Network := A collection of connected Ports This clarification was considered beneficial, but for the sake of progress it was decided not to change the definition. In addition, it was noted that both the NML-WG, as well as other groups (such as NSI-WG) are encoureaged to refine this definition, or define subclasses (e.g. NSI may define a "A collection of ports with capability to form a connection between the ports." = "A network with the capability to form a connection between its ports.") Regards, Freek Dijkstra [1] http://www.ogf.org/pipermail/nml-wg/2009-June/000270.html