RFC 3233 (rfc3233) - Page 1 of 4

Defining the IETF

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