smtp-tls

On Thu, 12 Jun 1997, Jeff Stephenson (Exchange) wrote:
> The current STARTTLS command (draft-hoffman-smtp-ssl-03.txt) has a

That reminds me of a suggestion I have for that document:

----
7. Secure SMTP Over a Separate Port

An IANA port registration was made for an "smtps" port for use as a
TLS-negotiated SMTP port.  The email community has reached rough concensus
that widespread use of such a port will be harmful to the performance,
interoperability and security of SMTP.  This document hereby revokes the
IANA registration of the "smtps" port and forbids future registration of a
port for any "secure SMTP" service.  IANA is directed to replace the port
registration with an indication that the port registration was revoked,
including the effective date.  Two years after the effective date of
revocation, the port may be re-registered for a different purpose. 
----

This would take effect as soon as the SMTP STARTTLS document is approved
as a proposed standard.  This is legitimate because IANA policy is set
by IETF standards track documents.