Defining the IETF

P. Hoffman; S. Bradner

doi:10.17487/RFC3233

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This is a modified version of the Internet RFC suitable for machine-translating. Original version is available here: RFC3233

BEST CURRENT PRACTICE

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. 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.

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RFC 3233                   Defining the IETF               February 2002

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.

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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

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RFC 3233                   Defining the IETF               February 2002

Full Copyright Statement

Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2002). All Rights Reserved.

This document and translations of it may be copied and furnished to others, and derivative works that comment on or otherwise explain it or assist in its implementation may be prepared, copied, published and distributed, in whole or in part, without restriction of any kind, provided that the above copyright notice and this paragraph are included on all such copies and derivative works. However, this document itself may not be modified in any way, such as by removing the copyright notice or references to the Internet Society or other Internet organizations, except as needed for the purpose of developing Internet standards in which case the procedures for copyrights defined in the Internet Standards process must be followed, or as required to translate it into languages other than English.

The limited permissions granted above are perpetual and will not be revoked by the Internet Society or its successors or assigns.

This document and the information contained herein is provided on an "AS IS" basis and THE INTERNET SOCIETY AND THE INTERNET ENGINEERING TASK FORCE DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO ANY WARRANTY THAT THE USE OF THE INFORMATION HEREIN WILL NOT INFRINGE ANY RIGHTS OR ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE.

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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