RFC Explained
Keith Stellmach
7/14/2013
DeVry University

First we should start with an explanation of what an RFC is, an RFC or Request for Comments is a formal document in which contains technical information about the internet. RFC’s include specifications, policies, internet standards and organizational ideas. The Organization that produces these documents is the IETF or the Internet Engineering Task Force and more specifically a small group of people called the Internet society on behalf of the IETF. The RFC’s have a long history and were first created in 1969 as working notes for ARPAnet, since then the RFC database has grown significantly with a multitude of the earlier publications becoming outdated. For the first 29 years of publication, The RFC database was edited and monitored by Jon Postel until his death in 1998. Now that we know a little about RFC’s, let me elaborate on a few topics, lets divulge into what an internet draft is, a little about the IETF, and finally what the process is to produce an RFC. An internet draft is basically a working document used by the IETF. During the creation of a new RFC, draft versions are created and made available so that the public can view it. Doing this, peers and others in the industry can review these drafts and comment on them whether they are commenting on what can be changed or on what they think of the new publication, it gives the editors some new ideas and ways to improve or change the new documentation before it gets published as an RFC. The IETF or the Internet Engineering Task Force is basically a large group of individuals with knowledge about networking protocols and other technical related subjects that work together to develop new policies and internet standards. The IETF is not a club or a prestigious group, anyone can join the IETF and attend meetings and be given a group to work with. Each individual in the work group is given a part of the work so that they can all work together to complete new RFC’s. In order to create a new RFC, there is a process in which the new documentation needs to go though in order to be published. Anyone can create an RFC independently, but they must first create an Internet Draft. It can be published after review by the IETF for technical competence, relevance, and adequate writing. In addition to this it will also be reviewed by the RFC editor and by the IESG once this is completed, the independent publication can go through the same process for publication as IETF submissions. First the submission must wait to receive normative references then it is edited for grammar and spelling, then it goes into a final review with the RFC editor. It is then assigned an RFC number and then the author gets a 48 hour window in which to review the RFC before publication. RFC’s or Request for Comments are used to define internet policies and procedures in which to create a better internet. The RFC’s are maintained and edited by the IETF and there are guidelines and procedures that need to be followed in order for new publications to be released. This database is used to help define internet standards and to help the progression of the internet by creating new and better policies to create a better experience on the internet.

References:

Request for Comments (RFC) Pages. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2013, from http://www.ietf.org/rfc.html
RFC Series Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved July 14, 2013, from http://www.rfc-editor.org/RFCoverview.html