IETF
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... What Is the IETF? ...
... principal body engaged in the development of
new Internet standard specifications. The IETF is unusual in that it
exists as a collection of happenings, but is not a corporation and
has no board of directors, no members, and no dues.
...
...
The IETF meeting is not a conference, although there are technical
presentations. The IETF is not a traditional standards organization,
...
... The IETF meeting is not a conference, although there are technical
presentations. The IETF is not a traditional standards organization,
although many specifications are produced that become standards. The
IETF ...
... IETF is not a traditional standards organization,
although many specifications are produced that become standards. The
IETF is made up of volunteers, many of whom meet three times a year
to fulfill the IETF mission.
...
... IETF is made up of volunteers, many of whom meet three times a year
to fulfill the IETF mission.
...
...
There is no membership in the IETF. Anyone may register for and
attend any meeting. The closest thing there is to being an IETF ...
... IETF. Anyone may register for and
attend any meeting. The closest thing there is to being an IETF
member is being on the IETF or Working Group ...
... attend any meeting. The closest thing there is to being an IETF
member is being on the IETF or Working Group mailing lists (see
...
... Working Group mailing lists (see
Section 1.3). This is where the best information about current IETF
activities and focus can be found.
...
...
Of course, no organization can be as successful as the IETF is
without having some sort of structure. In the IETF's case, that
...
... Of course, no organization can be as successful as the IETF is
without having some sort of structure. In the IETF's case, that
structure is provided by other organizations, as described in BCP 11 (RFC-2028 ...
... BCP 11 (RFC-2028),
"The Organizations Involved in the IETF Standards Process." If you
participate in the IETF and only read one BCP ...
... "The Organizations Involved in the IETF Standards Process." If you
participate in the IETF and only read one BCP, this is the one you
should read.
...
...
The first IETF meeting was held in January, 1986, at Linkabit in San
Diego, with 21 attendees. The 4th IETF, held at SRI in Menlo Park in
...
... The first IETF meeting was held in January, 1986, at Linkabit in San
Diego, with 21 attendees. The 4th IETF, held at SRI in Menlo Park in
October, 1986, was the first that non-government vendors attended.
...
... vendors attended.
The concept of Working Groups was introduced at the 5th IETF meeting
at the NASA Ames Research Center in California in February, 1987.
The 7th IETF ...
... IETF meeting
at the NASA Ames Research Center in California in February, 1987.
The 7th IETF, held at MITRE in McLean, Virginia in July, 1987, was
the first meeting with over 100 attendees.
...
...
The 14th IETF meeting was held at Stanford University in July 1989.
It marked a major change in the structure of the IETF universe. The
...
... The 14th IETF meeting was held at Stanford University in July 1989.
It marked a major change in the structure of the IETF universe. The
IAB (then Internet Activities Board ...
... Internet Architecture
Board), which until that time oversaw many "task forces," changed its
structure to leave only two: the IETF and the IRTF. The IRTF is
...
... tasked to consider long-term research problems in the Internet. The
IETF also changed at that time.
...
...
The IETF met in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in July 1993. This was
the first IETF meeting held in Europe ...
... The IETF met in Amsterdam, The Netherlands, in July 1993. This was
the first IETF meeting held in Europe, and the US/non-US attendee
split was nearly 50/50. One in five IETF ...
... IETF meeting held in Europe, and the US/non-US attendee
split was nearly 50/50. One in five IETF meetings are now held in
Europe or Asia ...
... ISOC does this is through financial and legal support of
the other "I" groups described here, particularly the IETF. ISOC's
oversight of the IETF ...
... IETF. ISOC's
oversight of the IETF is remarkably hands-off, so many IETF
participants don't even know about it. ISOC provides insurance
...
... ISOC's
oversight of the IETF is remarkably hands-off, so many IETF
participants don't even know about it. ISOC provides insurance
coverage for many of the people in the IETF ...
... IETF
participants don't even know about it. ISOC provides insurance
coverage for many of the people in the IETF process, and acts as a
public relations channel for the times that one of the "I" groups ...
... The IESG is responsible for technical management of IETF activities
and the Internet standards process. It administers the process
...
... such as the kind you will find in many other standards organizations.
The IESG ratifies or corrects the output from the IETF's Working
Groups, gets WGs started and finished, and makes sure that non-WG
drafts ...
... IESG has a great deal of influence on whether Internet
Drafts become RFCs, many people look at the ADs as somewhat godlike
creatures. IETF participants sometimes reverently ask an Area
Director for their opinion on a particular subject. However, most
...
... ensure that an AD's "pet project" doesn't make it onto the standards
track if it will have a negative effect on the rest of the IETF
protocols.
...
... something has gone very wrong. Another way to think about this is
that the ADs are selected to think, not to just run the process. The
quality of the IETF standards comes both from the review they get in
the Working Groups and the review that the WG ...
... that was produced in a WG is that the result did not really gain
consensus in the IETF as a whole, that is, among all of the Working
Groups in all areas. For instance, the result of one WG might clash
...
... IESG is to watch over the output of all the WGs
to help prevent IETF protocols that are at odds with each other.
This is why ADs are supposed to review the drafts coming out of areas
other than their own.
...
... Internet, and focuses on long-range planning and coordination among
the various areas of IETF activity. The IAB stays informed about
important long-term issues in the Internet ...
...
IAB members pay special attention to emerging activities in the IETF.
When a new IETF working group is proposed, the IAB ...
... IAB members pay special attention to emerging activities in the IETF.
When a new IETF working group is proposed, the IAB reviews its
charter for architectural consistency ...
... specific Internet architectural issues. Typically, the workshop
reports make recommendations to the IETF community and to the IESG.
...
... entity, one which was badly maligned by a variety of people who never
looked at what its role was. Nowadays the IETF is generally no
longer involved in the IANA's domain name ...
...
Even though being a registrar may not sound interesting, many IETF
participants will testify to how important IANA has been for the
Internet ...
...
One of the most popular misconceptions in the IETF community is that
the role of the RFC Editor is performed by IANA ...
... IETF Secretariat ...
...
There are, in fact, a few people who are paid to maintain the IETF.
The IETF Secretariat provides day-to-day logistical support, which
...
... There are, in fact, a few people who are paid to maintain the IETF.
The IETF Secretariat provides day-to-day logistical support, which
mainly means coordinating face-to-face meetings and running the
IETF ...
... IETF Secretariat provides day-to-day logistical support, which
mainly means coordinating face-to-face meetings and running the
IETF-specific mailing lists (not the WG mailing lists ...
... mailing lists). The
Secretariat is also responsible for keeping the official Internet
Drafts directory up to date and orderly, maintaining the IETF Web
site, and for helping the IESG do its work. The IETF Secretariat ...
... IETF Web
site, and for helping the IESG do its work. The IETF Secretariat is
financially supported by the fees of the face-to-face meetings.
...
... IETF Mailing Lists ...
... Anyone who plans to attend an IETF meeting should join the IETF
announcement mailing list, "ietf-announce ...
... IESG Protocol Actions and Last Calls are posted. People who
would like to "get technical" may also join the IETF discussion list,
"ietf@ietf.org". This is where discussions ...
...
Subscriptions to these and other IETF mailing lists are handled by a
program called Majordomo. Majordomo tends to be somewhat finicky
...
... Majordomo will treat you well, however, if you format your messages
just the way it likes. To join the IETF announcement list, for
example, send email to:
...
...
The IETF discussion list is unmoderated. This means that anyone can
express their opinions about issues affecting the Internet ...
... it is not a place for companies or individuals to solicit or
advertise, as noted in "IETF Discussion List Charter," RFC 3005. It
...
... 3005. It
is a good idea to read the whole RFC (it's short!) before posting to
the IETF discussion list.
...
... Even though the IETF mailing lists "represent" the IETF membership at
large, it is important to note that attending an IETF meeting does
...
... mailing lists "represent" the IETF membership at
large, it is important to note that attending an IETF meeting does
not mean you'll be automatically added to either mailing list.
...
... IETF Meetings ...
...
The computer industry is rife with conferences, seminars,
expositions, and all manner of other kinds of meetings. IETF face-
to-face meetings are nothing like these. The meetings, held three
times a year, are week-long dweebfests whose primary goal is to
...
...
For many people, IETF meetings are a breath of fresh air when
compared to the standard computer industry conferences. There is no
exposition hall, few tutorials, and no big-name industry pundits.
...
... exposition hall, few tutorials, and no big-name industry pundits.
Instead, there is lots of work, as well as a fair amount of time for
socializing. IETF meetings are of little interest to sales and
marketing folks, but of high interest to engineers and developers.
...
...
Most IETF meetings are held in North America, because that's where
most of the participants are from; however, meetings are held on
...
... most of the participants are from; however, meetings are held on
other continents about once every year or two. The past few meetings
have had about 2,500 attendees. There have been over 50 IETF
meetings so far, and a list of upcoming meetings is available on the
IETF ...
... IETF
meetings so far, and a list of upcoming meetings is available on the
IETF web pages, http://www.ietf.org/meetings/0mtg-sites.txt.
...
...
Newcomers to IETF face-to-face meetings are often in a bit of shock.
They expect them to be like other standards bodies, or like computer
...
... conferences. Fortunately, the shock wears off after a day or two,
and many new attendees get quite animated about how much fun they are
having. One particularly jarring feature of recent IETF meetings is
the use of wireless Internet ...
... registration are
announced about two months ahead of the meeting -- earlier if
possible. An announcement goes out via e-mail to the IETF-announce
mailing list, and information is posted on the IETF ...
... IETF-announce
mailing list, and information is posted on the IETF web site,
http://www.ietf.org ...
... Attendees who pre-paid will also find their receipt in their packet.
It's worth noting that neither attendee names and addresses or IETF
mailing lists are ever offered for sale.
...
... Newcomers are encouraged to attend the Newcomers' Orientation, which
is especially designed for first-time attendees. The orientation is
organized and conducted by the IETF Secretariat, and is intended to
provide useful introductory information. The orientation is
typically about 30 minutes long and covers what's in the attendee
...
... packets, what all the dots on name tags mean, the structure of the
IETF, and many other essential and enlightening topics for new
IETFers.
...
...
Immediately following the Newcomers' Orientation is the IETF
Standards Process Orientation. This session demystifies much of the
standards process by explaining what stages a document has to pass
...
...
There is ample time at the end for questions. The Secretariat also
provides handouts that include an overview of the IETF, a list of
important files available online, and hard copies of the slides of
the "IETF ...
... IETF, a list of
important files available online, and hard copies of the slides of
the "IETF Structure and Internet Standards Process" presentation.
These very useful slides are also available online at www.ietf.org
...
... morning in suits, to discover that everybody else is wearing t-
shirts, jeans (shorts, if weather permits) and sandals. There are
those in the IETF who refuse to wear anything other than suits.
Fortunately, they are well known (for other reasons) so they are
forgiven this particular idiosyncrasy. The general rule is "dress
...
...
Some of the people at the IETF will have a little colored dot on
their name tag. A few people have more than one. These dots
...
...
It is important that newcomers to the IETF not be afraid to strike up
conversations with people who wear these dots. If the IAB and IESG
members ...
...
Marshall Rose once remarked that the IETF was a place to go for "many
fine lunches and dinners." While it is true that some people eat
very well at the IETF ...
... IETF was a place to go for "many
fine lunches and dinners." While it is true that some people eat
very well at the IETF, they find the food on their own; lunches and
dinners are not included in the registration fee. The Secretariat
...
... Another of the most important things organized and managed by the
host is the IETF social event. Sometimes, the social event is a
computer or high-tech related event. At the Boston IETF, for
...
... host is the IETF social event. Sometimes, the social event is a
computer or high-tech related event. At the Boston IETF, for
example, the social was dinner at the Computer Museum. Other times,
the social might be a dinner cruise or a trip to an art gallery.
...
...
Newcomers to the IETF are encouraged to attend the social event.
Everyone is encouraged to wear their name tags and leave their
...
...
The agenda for the IETF meetings is a very fluid thing. It is sent,
updated, to the IETF announcement list three times prior to the
...
... The agenda for the IETF meetings is a very fluid thing. It is sent,
updated, to the IETF announcement list three times prior to the
meeting, and is also available on the web. The agenda for the 50th
IETF ...
... IETF announcement list three times prior to the
meeting, and is also available on the web. The agenda for the 50th
IETF, for example, is at http://www.ietf.org/meetings/agenda_50.html.
The final agenda is included in the registration ...
... The final agenda is included in the registration packets. Of course,
"final" in the IETF doesn't mean the same thing as it does elsewhere
in the world. The final agenda is simply the version that went to
...
... version that went to
the printer. The Secretariat will post agenda changes on the
bulletin board near the IETF registration desk (not the hotel
registration ...
...
The IETF is different things to different people. There are many
people who have been very active in the IETF ...
... IETF is different things to different people. There are many
people who have been very active in the IETF who have never attended
an IETF meeting. You should not feel obligated to come to an IETF ...
... active in the IETF who have never attended
an IETF meeting. You should not feel obligated to come to an IETF
meeting just to get a feel for the IETF ...
... IETF who have never attended
an IETF meeting. You should not feel obligated to come to an IETF
meeting just to get a feel for the IETF. The following guidelines
...
... IETF meeting. You should not feel obligated to come to an IETF
meeting just to get a feel for the IETF. The following guidelines
(based on stereotypes of people in various industries) might help you
decide whether you actually want to come and, if so, what might be
...
...
As discussed throughout this document, an IETF meeting is nothing
like any trade show you have attended. IETF meetings are singularly
...
... As discussed throughout this document, an IETF meeting is nothing
like any trade show you have attended. IETF meetings are singularly
bad places to go if your intention is to find out what will be hot in
...
...
This is not to say that no one from industry should go to IETF
meetings. As an IS manager, you might want to consider sending
specific people who are responsible for technologies that are under
...
... meetings. As an IS manager, you might want to consider sending
specific people who are responsible for technologies that are under
development in the IETF. As these people read the current Internet
Drafts and the traffic on the relevant Working Group ...
... relevant Working Groups in your copious free time, you might find
attending the IETF meeting valuable. The closer you are to the
bleeding edge of networking, particularly in the areas of routing ...
... routing and
switching, the more likely it is that you will be able to learn and
contribute at an IETF meeting.
...
...
The image of the IETF being mostly ivory tower academics may have
been true in the past, but the jobs of typical attendees are now in
industry. In most areas of the IETF ...
... IETF being mostly ivory tower academics may have
been true in the past, but the jobs of typical attendees are now in
industry. In most areas of the IETF, employees of vendors are the
ones writing the protocols and leading the Working Groups ...
... hardware or software, and no one from your company has ever attended
an IETF meeting, it behooves you to come to a meeting if for no other
reason than to tell the others how relevant the meeting was or was
not to your business.
...
...
This is not to say that companies should close up shop during IETF
meeting weeks so everyone can go to the meeting. Marketing folks,
even technical marketing folks, are usually safe in staying away from
...
... meeting weeks so everyone can go to the meeting. Marketing folks,
even technical marketing folks, are usually safe in staying away from
the IETF as long as some of the technical people from the company are
at the meeting. Similarly, it isn't required, or likely useful, for
...
...
IETF meetings are often excellent places for computer science folk to
find out what is happening in the way of soon-to-be-deployed
...
...
If you're a member of the press and are considering attending IETF,
we've prepared a special section of the Tao just for you -- please
see Section 8.2.
...
...
IETF proceedings are compiled in the two months following each
meeting, and are available on the web, on CD, and in print. Be sure
...
... CD, and in print. Be sure
to look through a copy -- the proceedings are filled with information
about IETF that you're not likely to find anywhere else. For
example, you'll find snapshots of most WG charters at the time of the
...
... entertaining) message from Steve Coya, the Executive Director of the
IETF. Each volume of contains the final (hindsight) agenda, an IETF
overview, area and Working Group ...
... Executive Director of the
IETF. Each volume of contains the final (hindsight) agenda, an IETF
overview, area and Working Group reports, and slides from the
...
...
The IETF Secretariat, and IETFers in general, are very approachable.
Never be afraid to approach someone and introduce yourself. Also,
don't be afraid to ask questions, especially when it comes to jargon
...
... Hallway conversations are very important. A lot of very good work
gets done by people who talk together between meetings and over
lunches and dinners. Every minute of the IETF can be considered work
time (much to some people's dismay).
...
... BOF" is an unofficial get-together, usually in the late
evening, during which a lot of work gets done over drinks. Bar BOFs
spring up in many different places around an IETF meeting, such as
restaurants, coffee shops, and (if we are so lucky) pools.
...
... questions about their company and its products, but bear in mind that
the IETF is not a trade show. This does not preclude people from
recouping costs for IETF-related t-shirts, buttons and pocket
...
... the IETF is not a trade show. This does not preclude people from
recouping costs for IETF-related t-shirts, buttons and pocket
protectors.
...
... Working Group session, descriptions of online IETF-related
information, etc.). Please check with the Secretariat before placing
materials on the desk; the Secretariat has the right to remove ...
...
The vast majority of the IETF's work is done in many "Working
Groups;" at the time of this writing, there are about 115 different
WGs ...
... probably not for a very good reason.) BCP 25(RFC-2418), "IETF Working Group
Guidelines and Procedures," is an excellent resource for anyone
participating in WG ...
... subscribing to the mailing list; all mailing
lists are open to anyone. Some IETF WG mailing lists only let
subscribers ...
... after a WG is closed, still discussing the same topics as the Working
Group did.) In the IETF, it is a mark of success that the WG closes
up because it fulfilled its charter. This is one of the aspects of
...
... WG closes
up because it fulfilled its charter. This is one of the aspects of
the IETF that newcomers who have experience with other standards
bodies have a hard time understanding. However, some WG chairs never
...
... WG chairs are strongly advised to go to the new chairs' training
lunch the first day of the IETF meeting. If you're interested in
what they hear there, take a look at the slides at
http://www.ietf.org/wgchair/index.htm ...
... One fact that confuses many novices is that the face-to-face WG
meetings are much less important in the IETF than they are in most
other organizations. Any decision made at a face-to-face meeting
must also gain consensus on the WG ...
... to Working Group. The lack of voting has caused some very long
delays for some proposals, but most IETF participants who have
witnessed rough consensus after acrimonious debates feel that the
...
... here's a tip for your slides: don't put your company's logo on every
one, even though it's common practice outside the IETF. The IETF
frowns on this kind of corporate advertising, and most presenters
...
... company's logo on every
one, even though it's common practice outside the IETF. The IETF
frowns on this kind of corporate advertising, and most presenters
don't even put their logo on their opening slide. The IETF ...
... IETF
frowns on this kind of corporate advertising, and most presenters
don't even put their logo on their opening slide. The IETF is about
technical content, not company boosterism.
...
...
As we mentioned earlier, the IETF announcement and discussion mailing
lists are the central mailing lists ...
... discussion mailing
lists are the central mailing lists for IETF activities. However,
there are many other mailing lists related to IETF ...
... IETF activities. However,
there are many other mailing lists related to IETF work. For
example, every Working Group has its own discussion ...
... discussion list. In
addition, there are some long-term technical debates that have been
moved off of the IETF list onto lists created specifically for those
topics. It is highly recommended that everybody follow the
...
... or contribute to, the Working Groups' efforts, but can't attend the
IETF meetings.
...
...
Most IETF discussion lists are archived. That is, all of the
messages sent to the list are automatically stored on a host ...
... Working groups sometimes hold interim meetings between IETFs.
Interim meetings aren't a substitute for IETF meetings, however -- a
group can't decide to skip a meeting in a location they're not fond
...
... AD approval, and need to be announced at least one
month in advance. Location and timing need to allow fair access for
all participants. Like regular IETF meetings, someone needs to take
notes and send them to minutes@ietf.org, and the group needs to take
...
... ** New to the IETF? STOP HERE! (Temporarily) ** ...
...
-----------------------------------------
If you're new to the IETF and this is the only reference you plan to
read before coming to the meeting, stop here -- at least temporarily.
Then, on your flight home, read the rest of the Tao. By that time
...
...
If you're a new IETF participant and are looking for a particular RFC
or Internet Draft, go to the RFC Editor's Web pages, http://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc.html ...
... collections, many with search capabilities. If you know the number
of the RFC you're looking for, go to the IETF RFC pages,
http://www.ietf.org/rfc.html. For Internet Drafts ...
... http://www.ietf.org/rfc.html. For Internet Drafts, the best resource
is the IETF web site, http://www.ietf.org/ID.html, where you can
...
...
One of the most common questions seasoned IETFers hear from newcomers
is, "How do I get an IETF standard published?" A much better
question is, "Should I write an IETF standard?" since the answer is
...
... is, "How do I get an IETF standard published?" A much better
question is, "Should I write an IETF standard?" since the answer is
not always "yes." If you do decide to try to write a document that
becomes an IETF standard ...
... IETF standard?" since the answer is
not always "yes." If you do decide to try to write a document that
becomes an IETF standard, be warned that the overall process may be
arduous, even if the individual steps are fairly straightforward.
Lots of people get through the process unscathed, though, and there's
...
...
Every IETF standard is published as an RFC (a "Request For Comments,"
but everyone just calls them RFCs), and every RFC starts out as an
...
... Internet Draft (often called an "I-D"). The basic steps for getting
something published as an IETF standard are:
...
... 2026), "The Internet Standards Process." Anyone who writes a draft that
they hope will become an IETF standard must read BCP 9(RFC-2026) so that they
...
... 2026)
goes into great detail on a topic that is very often misunderstood,
even by seasoned IETF participants: different types of RFCs go
through different processes and have different rankings. There are
six kinds of RFCs:
...
...
Only the first three (proposed, draft, and full) are standards within
the IETF. A good summary of this can be found in the aptly titled
RFC 1796, "Not All RFCs are Standards."
...
... created by groups within the
IETF User Services Area. Best Current Practice documents describe
...
...
The biggest reason some people do not want their documents put on the
IETF standards track is that they must give up change control of the
protocol. That is, as soon as you propose that your protocol become
...
... change control of the
protocol. That is, as soon as you propose that your protocol become
an IETF standard, you must fully relinquish control of the protocol.
If there is general agreement, parts of the protocol can be
...
... Some authors find it very hard to give up control of their pet
protocol. If you are one of those people, don't even think about
trying to get your protocol to become an IETF standard. On the other
hand, if your goal is the best standard possible with the widest
implementation, then you might find the IETF ...
... IETF standard. On the other
hand, if your goal is the best standard possible with the widest
implementation, then you might find the IETF process to your liking.
...
... implementors discover a problem as they implement the
standard. These later changes are also under the control of the
IETF, not the editors of the standards document.
...
...
IETF standards exist so that people will use them to write Internet
programs that interoperate. They don't exist to document the
...
... (possibly wonderful) ideas of their authors, nor do they exist so
that a company can say "we have an IETF standard." If a standards-
track RFC only has one implementation (whereas two are required for
it to advance on the standards track), it was probably a mistake to
...
...
You can always tell a person who doesn't understand the IETF (or is
intentionally trying to fool people) when they brag about having
published an Internet Draft ...
... After it is submitted to the IESG, the IESG announces an IETF-wide
last call. This helps get the attention of people who weren't
following the progress of the draft, and can sometimes cause further
...
... WG who
feel that they weren't heard can make their comments to everyone.
The IETF last call is two weeks for drafts coming from WGs and four
weeks for individual submissions.
...
... always know which parts were suggestions and which were requirements.
As a result, standards writers in the IETF generally agreed to limit
their wording to a few specific words with a few specific meanings.
RFC 1123std3 ...
... BCP 14. The accepted practice for
this is to capitalize the words. That is why you see "MUST" and
"SHOULD" capitalized in IETF standards.
...
... BCP 14 is a short document, and should be read by everyone who is
reading or writing IETF standards. Although the definitions of
"must" and "must not" are fairly clear, the definitions of "should"
and "should not" cause a great deal of discussion ...
...
One aspect of writing IETF standards that trips up many novices (and
quite a few long-time IETF folk) is the rule about how to make
...
... One aspect of writing IETF standards that trips up many novices (and
quite a few long-time IETF folk) is the rule about how to make
"normative references" to non-IETF documents or to other RFCs in a
...
... quite a few long-time IETF folk) is the rule about how to make
"normative references" to non-IETF documents or to other RFCs in a
standard. A normative reference is a reference to a document that
must be followed in order to implement the standard. A non-normative ...
...
An IETF standard may make a normative reference to any other
standards-track RFC that is at the same standards level or higher, or
...
... standards-track RFC that is at the same standards level or higher, or
to any "open standard" that has been developed outside the IETF. The
"same level or higher" rule means that before a standard can move
from Proposed to Draft, all of the RFCs for which there is a
...
... standard in your specification, as with a designation of the date of
the standard. Some external standards bodies don't make old
standards available, which is a problem for IETF standards that need
to be used in the future. When in doubt, a draft author should ask
the WG chair ...
... WG chair or appropriate Area Director if a particular external
standard can be used in an IETF standard.
...
...
More and more IETF standards require the registration of various
protocol parameters, such as named options in the protocol. As we
...
... protocol parameters, such as named options in the protocol. As we
noted in Section 1.2.4, the main registry for all IETF standards has
long been IANA. Because of the large and diverse kinds of registries ...
... Patents in IETF Standards ...
... The problems of intellectual property have cropped up more and more
often in the past few years, particularly with respect to patents.
The goal of the IETF is to have its standards widely used and
validated in the marketplace. If creating a product that uses a
...
...
Patent holders who freely allow their patents to be used by people
implementing IETF standards often get a great deal of good will from
the folks in the IETF. Such generosity is more common than you might
...
... implementing IETF standards often get a great deal of good will from
the folks in the IETF. Such generosity is more common than you might
think. For example, RFC 1822 is a license ...
... Internet Draft and you know of a patent that
applies to the technology you're writing about, don't list the patent
in the document. Instead, send a note to the IETF Secretariat
(ietf-secretariat@ietf.org) about the patent or other intellectual
property rights. The note will be published on the IETF ...
... IETF Secretariat
(ietf-secretariat@ietf.org) about the patent or other intellectual
property rights. The note will be published on the IETF IPR web page
(http://www.ietf.org/ipr.html ...
...
The role of Informational RFCs is often debated in the IETF. Many
people like having them, particularly for specifications that were
created ...
... people like having them, particularly for specifications that were
created outside the IETF but are referenced by IETF documents. They
are also useful for specifications that are the precursors for work
...
... created outside the IETF but are referenced by IETF documents. They
are also useful for specifications that are the precursors for work
being done by IETF Working Groups ...
... IETF documents. They
are also useful for specifications that are the precursors for work
being done by IETF Working Groups. On the other hand, some people
refer to Informational RFCs as "standards" even though the RFCs are
not standards, usually to fool the gullible public about something
...
... How to Contribute to the IETF -- What You Can Do ...
... Working Group so that the standard can be
clarified in later revisions. One of the oft-quoted
tenets of the IETF is "running code wins," so you can
help support the standards you want to become more
...
... Share -- Avoid proprietary standards. If you are an
implementor, exhibit a strong preference for IETF
standards. If the IETF standards aren't as good as
the proprietary standards, work to make the IETF
standards ...
... implementor, exhibit a strong preference for IETF
standards. If the IETF standards aren't as good as
the proprietary standards, work to make the IETF
standards better. If you're a purchaser, avoid
...
... IETF
standards. If the IETF standards aren't as good as
the proprietary standards, work to make the IETF
standards better. If you're a purchaser, avoid
products that use proprietary standards that compete
with the open standards of the IETF ...
... IETF
standards better. If you're a purchaser, avoid
products that use proprietary standards that compete
with the open standards of the IETF, and tell the
companies you buy from that you are doing so.
...
... Open Up -- If your company controls a patent that is used in an
IETF standard, convince them to make the patent
available at no cost to everyone who is implementing
the standard. In the past few years, patents have
...
... companies have generously offered
unlimited licenses for particular patents in order to
help the IETF standards flourish. These companies are
usually rewarded with positive publicity for the fact
...
... IETF and the Outside World ...
...
As much as many IETF participants would like to think otherwise, the
IETF does not exist in a standards vacuum. There are many (perhaps
...
... As much as many IETF participants would like to think otherwise, the
IETF does not exist in a standards vacuum. There are many (perhaps
too many) other standards organizations whose decisions affect the
Internet ...
...
In general, the IETF tries to have cordial relationships with other
significant standards bodies. This isn't always easy, since many
other bodies have very different structures than the IETF ...
... IETF tries to have cordial relationships with other
significant standards bodies. This isn't always easy, since many
other bodies have very different structures than the IETF, and the
IETF is mostly run by volunteers who would probably prefer to write
...
... other bodies have very different structures than the IETF, and the
IETF is mostly run by volunteers who would probably prefer to write
standards rather than meet with representatives from other bodies.
Even so, some other standards bodies make a great effort to interact
...
... standards rather than meet with representatives from other bodies.
Even so, some other standards bodies make a great effort to interact
well with the IETF despite the obvious cultural differences.
...
... Technical Committee of the International
Organization for Standardization and International Electrotechnical
Commission). The list of IETF liaisons, www.ietf.org/ietf/1iesg-
liaisons ...
... Press Coverage of the IETF ...
...
Given that the IETF is one of the best-known bodies that is helping
move the Internet forward, it's natural for the computer press (and
...
... even the trade press) to want to cover its actions. In recent years,
a small number of magazines have assigned reporters and editors to
cover the IETF in depth over a long period of time. These reporters
have ample scars from articles that they got wrong, incorrect
statements about the status of Internet Drafts ...
... statements about the status of Internet Drafts, quotes from people
who are unrelated to the IETF work, and so on.
...
...
Major press errors fall into two categories: saying that the IETF is
considering something when in fact there is just an Internet Draft in
...
... Internet Draft in
a Working Group, and saying that the IETF approved something when all
that happened was that an Informational RFC was published. In both
cases, the press is not fully to blame for the problem, since they
...
... WG chair or an
Area Director. The official press contact for the IETF is the IETF
Secretariat.
...
...
The fact that those reporters who've gotten it wrong once come back
to IETF meetings shows that it is possible to get it right
eventually. However, IETF meetings are definitely not for reporters
...
... to IETF meetings shows that it is possible to get it right
eventually. However, IETF meetings are definitely not for reporters
who are naive about the IETF process (although if you are a reporter
...
... eventually. However, IETF meetings are definitely not for reporters
who are naive about the IETF process (although if you are a reporter
the fact that you are reading this document is a very good sign!).
Further, if you think that you'll get a hot ...
... Further, if you think that you'll get a hot story from attending an
IETF meeting, you are likely to be disappointed.
...
... Internet. Such stories do much more harm than good, both for the
readers of the article and for the IETF.
...
...
The main reason why a reporter might want to attend an IETF meeting
is not to cover hot technologies (since that can be done in the
...
... mailing lists), but to meet
people face to face. Unfortunately, the most interesting people are
the ones who are also the busiest during the IETF meeting, and some
folks have a tendency to run away when they see a press badge.
However, IETF ...
... IETF meeting, and some
folks have a tendency to run away when they see a press badge.
However, IETF meetings are excellent places to meet and speak with
document authors and Working Group chairs ...
...
Reporters who want to find out about "what the IETF is doing" on a
particular topic would be well-advised to talk to more than one
person who is active ...
... particular topic would be well-advised to talk to more than one
person who is active on that topic in the IETF, and should probably
try to talk to the WG chair in any case. It's impossible to
...
... that a reporter can look through for recent indications about what
the progress of a draft is; unfortunately, few reporters have the
time or inclination to do this kind of research. Because the IETF
doesn't have a press liaison, a magazine or newspaper that runs a
...
... doesn't have a press liaison, a magazine or newspaper that runs a
story with errors won't hear directly from the IETF and therefore
often won't know what they did wrong, so they might easily do it
again later.
...
...
agenda@ietf.org Requests for agenda slots at IETF
meetings
ietf-info@ietf.org General questions about the IETF ...
... IETF
meetings
ietf-info@ietf.org General questions about the IETF
ietf-registrar@ietf.org Questions about registration, meeting
...
... locations, and fees
ietf-request@ietf.org Requests to join/leave IETF lists
ietf-secretariat@ietf.org Questions for the Secretariat
ietf-web@ietf.org Web questions/comments
...
... minutes@ietf.org Where to send Working Group minutes
proceedings@ietf.org IETF Proceedings Coordinator
iana@iana.org Internet Assigned Numbers Authority
...
... Working Groups, Internet Drafts, RFCs,
IETF e-mail addresses, and much more. Click on "Additional
Information" to find a variety of helpful links ...
... http://www.ietf.org/iesg.html, to find
up-to-date information about drafts processed, RFCs published, and
documents in Last Call, as well as the monthly IETF status reports.
...
... Recall Committees"
BCP 11 "The Organizations Involved in the IETF Standards Process"
(RFC-2028)
...