RFC 1311 (rfc1311) - Page 1 of 5


Introduction to the STD Notes



Alternative Format: Original Text Document



Network Working Group                          Internet Activities Board
Request for Comments: 1311                             J. Postel, Editor
                                                              March 1992


                     Introduction to the STD Notes

Status of this Memo

   This RFC describes a new sub-series of RFCs, called STDs (Standards).
   Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

1.  Introduction

   The STDs are a subseries of notes within the RFC series that are the
   Internet standards.  The intent is to identify clearly for the
   Internet community those RFCs which document Internet standards.

2.  The Assignment of STD Numbers

   There is a need to be very clear about which specifications have
   completed the full process of standardization in the Internet.  To do
   this an STD number will be assigned to a specification when it
   reaches the Standard maturity level.  Note that specifications may be
   either Technical Specifications (TS) or Applicability Statements
   (AS).

   When a specification reaches the final stage of the standardization
   process and the IAB has designated it a standard for the Internet, an
   STD number will be assigned to that specification.

   The existing standards have been assigned STD numbers (see Appendix).

   The standard for a particular protocol will always have the same STD
   number.

      If at some future time a protocol is reworked and a new document
      is produced as the specification of that standard and the new
      specification is designated by the IAB as a standard for the
      Internet, then the new document will be labeled with the same STD
      number (of course, that new document will have a new RFC number).

   Multiple Documents for One Standard:

      A STD number identifies a standard not a document.  A document is
      identified by its RFC number.  If the specification of a standard
      is spread over several documents they will each carry the same STD
      number.



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