Internet Engineering Task Force

The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is the main organization engaged in the development of new Internet standard specifications. These standards specify procedures for operating the Internet system, and are developed using an open-systems manner. The IETF is composed of an international community of Internet network designers, operators, vendors, and researchers who are concerned with the evolution and development of Internet architecture.

The IETF has a number of goals. Perhaps most importantly, its members work to identify Internet operational and technical problems, and propose solutions to solve these problems, specifying the development or usage of protocols and architecture. The IETF makes recommendations to the Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG) concerning the standardization of Internet protocols and protocol usage. It also facilitates technology transfer from the Internet Research Task Force (IRTF) to the wider Internet community, and provides a forum for the exchange of information within that community, which includes vendors, users, researchers, agency contractors, and network managers.

The IETF is sub-divided into working groups managed by area directors, who are members of the IESG. Architectural oversight is provided by the Internet Architecture Board (IAB), which also adjudicates appeals when there are complaints against the IESG. The IETF and the IAB are organized bodies of the Internet Society (ISOC), which charters the IAB and IESG.

Although the IETF meets three times a year in various venues, much of the actual work is done online through various mailing lists. The IETF is open to any interested individual, and there are no formal membership criteria. All IETF members are considered volunteers. Most members have full-time jobs, and many participate with the sponsorship of employers to conduct IETF business and attend the various meetings.

The first IETF meeting was held in San Diego in 1986. Since then, IETF membership has grown exponentially. Members often do not attend the physical meetings, but convene and discuss issues online. The IETF Secretariat provides daily logistical support, coordinates meetings, makes sure that the official Internet Drafts directory is timely and orderly, and assists the IESG with its work.

The IETF has expanded to more than 100 working groups (WGs), which include those covering the following areas:

• Applications Area—protocols seen by user programs, such as email and the Web;
• Internet Area—different ways of moving IP packets and DNS information;
• Operations and Management Area—administration and monitoring;
• Routing Area—making sure packets reach their destinations;
• Security Area—authentication and privacy;
• Transport Area—special services for special packets;
• User Services Area—support for end users and user support organizations;
• General Area—groups that don't fit in anywhere else.

WG activities are conducted through mailing lists that are open to anyone. Criteria for posting depends on the WG; some WG mailing lists let only list subscribers post to the mailing list, while others let anyone post. Each WG has a charter, which states the scope of the discussion and the goals of the WG. WGs have one or two chairs who organize meeting agendas and facilitate consensus.

In terms of reaching consensus by WG members on drafts, the IETF concurs by “rough consensus,” meaning that a large majority of those that care about an issue must agree. There is no formal voting structure. Face-to-face WG meetings are certainly not as important in the IETF as they are in other organizations, as any decision made at a face-to-face meeting must also gain consensus on the WG mailing list. A WG will, within the terms of its charter, decide which Internet Drafts get published as “official” WG documents.

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