RFC 3233 (rfc3233) - Page 1 of 4
Defining the IETF
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
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.
Hoffman & Bradner Best Current Practice