Network Working Group P. Hoffman
Request for Comments: 3233 Internet Mail Consortium
BCP: 58 S. Bradner
Category: Best Current Practice Harvard University
February 2002
Defining the IETF
Status of this Memo
This document specifies an Internet Best Current Practices for the
Internet Community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
improvements. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2002). All Rights Reserved.
Abstract
This document gives a more concrete definition of "the IETF" as it
understood today. Many RFCs refer to "the IETF". Many important
IETF documents speak of the IETF as if it were an already-defined
entity. However, no IETF document correctly defines what the IETF
is.
1. Introduction
Many RFCs refer to "the IETF". Many important IETF documents speak
of the IETF as if it were an already-defined entity. However, no
IETF document correctly defines what the IETF is. This document
gives a more concrete definition of "the IETF" as it understood
today.
2. Defining the IETF
BCP 9 ("The Internet Standards Process -- Revision 3") [BCP 9], the
primary document that describes the Internet standards process, never
defines the IETF. As described in BCP 11 ("The Organizations
Involved in the IETF Standards Process") [BCP 11], the Internet
Engineering Task Force (IETF) is an open global community of network
designers, operators, vendors, and researchers producing technical
specifications for the evolution of the Internet architecture and the
smooth operation of the Internet.
Hoffman & Bradner Best Current Practice [Page 1]
RFC 3233 Defining the IETF February 2002 It is important to note that the IETF is not a corporation: it is an unincorporated, freestanding organization. The IETF is partially supported by the Internet Society (ISOC). ISOC is an international non-profit organization incorporated in the US with thousands of individual and corporate members throughout the world who pay membership fees to join. The Internet Society provides many services to the IETF, including insurance and some financial and logistical support. As described in BCP 11, Internet standardization is an organized activity of the ISOC, with the ISOC Board of Trustees being responsible for ratifying the procedures and rules of the Internet standards process. However, the IETF is not a formal subset of ISOC; for example, one does not have to join ISOC to be a member of the IETF. There is no board of directors for the IETF, no formally signed bylaws, no treasurer, and so on. The structure of the IETF (its leadership, its working groups, the definition of IETF membership, and so on) are described in detail in BCP 11. Procedures for choosing leadership are described in detail in BCP 10. Thus, when RFCs say "the IETF", they are describing the group that acts in accordance with BCP 9, BCP 10, and BCP 11. 3. Security Considerations All IETF protocols must describe the security aspects of the environment in which they will be used. Also, the IETF has a Security Area which discusses the security aspects of IETF protocols. However, descriptive documents such as this one do not affect the security of the Internet. Hoffman & Bradner Best Current Practice [Page 2]
RFC 3233 Defining the IETF February 2002 A. References [BCP 9] Bradner, S., "The Internet Standards Process -- Revision 3", BCP 9, RFC 2026, October 1996. [BCP 10] Galvin, J., "IAB and IESG Selection, Confirmation, and Recall Process: Operation of the Nominating and Recall Committees", BCP 10, RFC 2727, February 2000. [BCP 11] Hovey, R. and S. Bradner, "The Organizations Involved in the IETF Standards Process", BCP 11, RFC 2028, October 1996. B. Editors' Addresses Paul Hoffman Internet Mail Consortium 127 Segre Place Santa Cruz, CA 95060 USA EMail: phoffman@imc.org Scott Bradner Harvard University 29 Oxford St Cambridge MA 02138 EMail: sob@harvard.edu Hoffman & Bradner Best Current Practice [Page 3]
RFC 3233 Defining the IETF February 2002
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Acknowledgement
Funding for the RFC Editor function is currently provided by the
Internet Society.
Hoffman & Bradner Best Current Practice [Page 4]
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