RFC 100 (rfc100) - Page 1 of 37
Categorization and guide to NWG/RFCs
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group P. Karp
Request for Comments: XXXX MITRE
NIC: 5761 26 February 1971
Categorization and Guide to NWG/RFCs
The NWG/RFC Guide is an attempt to introduce some order into the
NWG/RFC series, which now numbers 102. The Guide categorizes the
NWG/RFC notes, identifies topics under discussion and the relevant
NWG/RFCs, and indicates whether the notes are current, obsolete, or
superseded.
A minimum subset of NWG/RFCs is identified. This subset consists of
the NWG/RFCs that one should read to quickly become familiar with the
current status of topics.
For historical reasons and for readers interested in tracing through
the stages of development of a topic, a brief summary is given for
each NWG/RFC relevant to a particular category.
This initial Guide is being issued as a NWG/RFC since it establishes
the basis for future releases. So, please comment! Suggestions,
criticism, corrections, etc., will be accepted for a period of
approximately two weeks. Be critical as I have not had to implement
an NCP and probably have some misconceptions regarding various
technical points. An official version will be released on March 26.
The Guide will then be a unique series of documents, separate from
NWG/RFCs (as is the Document No. 1, No. 2 series).
With regard to renumbering NWG/RFCs, I am inclined to keep she
sequential numbering scheme presently employed. The main reason for
this position is that the current numbers have both historical and
semantic significance. For example, reference to "#33, #66, #83,
etc." is a convenient shorthand (reminiscent of the old corny joke
about joke #s) used extensively during meetings. The list of
"current status" NWG/RFC numbers should dispel any fear of
maintaining stacks of NWG/RFCs for quick reference. The subject is
not closed, however, and I will entertain any objections,
suggestions, etc.
GUIDE TO NETWORK WORKING GROUP/REQUEST FOR COMMENTS
The NWG/RFC notes are partitioned into 9 categories, which in turn
are divided into subcategories. For each category the official
document (if any), unresolved issues, and documents to be published
are identified.
Karp