RFC 3818 (rfc3818) - Page 1 of 4


IANA Considerations for the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)



Alternative Format: Original Text Document



Network Working Group                                        V. Schryver
Request for Comments: 3818                             Rhyolite Software
BCP: 88                                                        June 2004
Category: Best Current Practice


       IANA Considerations for the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP)

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 (2004).

Abstract

   The charter of the Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) Extensions working
   group (pppext) includes the responsibility to "actively advance PPP's
   most useful extensions to full standard, while defending against
   further enhancements of questionable value."  In support of that
   charter, the allocation of PPP protocol and other assigned numbers
   will no longer be "first come first served."

Introduction

   The Point-to-Point protocol (PPP, RFC 1661 [1]) is a mature protocol
   with a large number of subprotocols, encapsulations and other
   extensions.  The main protocol as well as its extensions involve many
   name spaces in which values must be assigned.
   http://www.iana.org/assignments/ppp-numbers contains a list of the
   address spaces and their current assignments.

   Historically, initial values in new name spaces have often been
   chosen in the RFCs creating the name spaces.  The IANA made
   subsequent assignments with a "First Come First Served" policy.  This
   memo changes that policy for some PPP address spaces.

   Most of the PPP names spaces are quiescent, but some continue to
   attract proposed extensions.  Extensions of PPP have been defined in
   RFCs that are "Informational" and so are not subject to review.
   These extensions usually require values assigned in one or more of
   the PPP name spaces.  Making these allocations require "IETF
   Consensus" will ensure that proposals are reviewed.




Schryver                 Best Current Practice