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The Process for Organization of Internet Standards Working Group (POISED)
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group S. Crocker
Request for Comments: 1640 TIS
Category: Informational June 1994
The Process for Organization of Internet Standards
Working Group (POISED)
Status of this Memo
This memo provides information for the Internet community. This memo
does not specify an Internet standard of any kind. Distribution of
this memo is unlimited.
Abstract
This report, originally prepared in January 1993 provides a summary
of the POISED WG, starting from the events leading to the formation
of the WG to the end of 1992. Necessarily, this synopsis represents
my own perception, particularly for the "prehistory" period. Quite a
few people hold strong views about both the overall sequence and
specific events. My intent here is to convey as neutral a point of
view as possible.
Background and Formation of POISED Working Group
The POISED WG resulted from two sequences of activity, both
intimately related to the growth of the Internet. During 1991, there
was great concern that the IP address space was being depleted and
that the routing tables were growing too large. Some change in the
IP addressing and routing mechanisms seemed inevitable, and it became
urgent to explore and choose what those changes should be. The ROAD
Working Group was formed to study the issues and recommend changes.
The ROAD group returned with a specific recommendation for the short
term, but did not reach a conclusion on a long term plan.
The IESG then formulated a plan of action for further exploration of
the issues and forwarded these recommendations to the IAB. In June
1992, after the INET '92 meeting in Kobe, Japan, the IAB met and
considered the IESG's recommendations. After considering the IESG's
recommendations, the IAB felt that additional ideas were also
important, particularly some of the addressing ideas in the CLNP
protocol. The IAB communicated its concerns, and there was immediate
controversy along two dimensions. One dimension was technical: What
is the best course for evolving the IP protocol? How important or
useful are the ideas in the OSI protocol stack? The other dimension
was political: Who makes decisions within the Internet community?
Who chooses who makes these decisions?
Crocker