The Tao of IETF - A Novice's Guide to the Internet Engineering Task Force
RFC 4677

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Network Working Group                                         P. Hoffman
Request for Comments: 4677                                VPN Consortium
FYI: 17                                                        S. Harris
Obsoletes: 3160                                   University of Michigan
Category: Informational                                   September 2006

                 The Tao of IETF: A Novice's Guide to
                  the Internet Engineering Task Force

Status of This Memo

   This memo provides information for the Internet community.  It does
   not specify an Internet standard of any kind.  Distribution of this
   memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2006).

Abstract

   This document describes the inner workings of IETF meetings and
   Working Groups, discusses organizations related to the IETF, and
   introduces the standards process.  It is not a formal IETF process
   document but instead an informational overview.

Hoffman & Harris             Informational                      [Page 1]
RFC 4677                    The Tao of IETF               September 2006

Table of Contents

   1. Introduction ....................................................4
   2. Acknowledgements ................................................5
   3. What Is the IETF? ...............................................5
      3.1. Humble Beginnings ..........................................6
      3.2. The Hierarchy ..............................................7
           3.2.1. ISOC (Internet Society) .............................7
           3.2.2. IESG (Internet Engineering Steering Group) ..........8
           3.2.3. IAB (Internet Architecture Board) ..................10
           3.2.4. IANA (Internet Assigned Numbers Authority) .........11
           3.2.5. RFC Editor .........................................11
           3.2.6. IETF Secretariat ...................................12
      3.3. IETF Mailing Lists ........................................12
   4. IETF Meetings ..................................................13
      4.1. Registration ..............................................14
      4.2. Take the Plunge and Stay All Week! ........................15
      4.3. Newcomer Training .........................................16
      4.4. Dress Code ................................................16
      4.5. Seeing Spots Before Your Eyes .............................16
      4.6. Terminal Room .............................................17
      4.7. Meals and Other Delights ..................................17
      4.8. Social Event ..............................................18
      4.9. Agenda ....................................................18
      4.10. EDU to the Rescue ........................................19
      4.11. Where Do I Fit In? .......................................19
           4.11.1. IS Managers .......................................19
           4.11.2. Network Operators and ISPs ........................19
           4.11.3. Networking Hardware and Software Vendors ..........20
           4.11.4. Academics .........................................20
           4.11.5. Computer Trade Press ..............................20
      4.12. Proceedings ..............................................21
      4.13. Other General Things .....................................21
   5. Working Groups .................................................22
      5.1. Working Group Chairs ......................................23
      5.2. Getting Things Done in a Working Group ....................24
      5.3. Preparing for Working Group Meetings ......................25
      5.4. Working Group Mailing Lists ...............................26
      5.5. Interim Working Group Meetings ............................27
   6. BOFs ...........................................................27
   7. New to the IETF and Coming to a Meeting? STOP HERE!
      (Temporarily) ..................................................28
   8. RFCs and Internet Drafts .......................................29
      8.1. Getting an RFC Published ..................................29
      8.2. Letting Go Gracefully .....................................30
      8.3. Internet Drafts ...........................................31
           8.3.1. Recommended Reading for Writers ....................32
           8.3.2. Filenames and Other Matters ........................33

Hoffman & Harris             Informational                      [Page 2]
RFC 4677                    The Tao of IETF               September 2006

      8.4. Standards-Track RFCs ......................................34
           8.4.1. Telling It Like It Is -- Using MUST and SHOULD
                  and MAY ............................................35
           8.4.2. Normative References in Standards ..................36
           8.4.3. IANA Considerations ................................37