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.
Internet Activities Board