Request for Comments: Difference between revisions

In information and communications technology, a '''Request for Commentscomments''' ('''RFC''') is a type of publication from the technology community. RFCs may come from many bodies including from the [[Internet Engineering Task Force]] (IETF), the [[Internet Research Task Force]] (IRTF), the [[Internet Architecture Board]] (IAB) or from independent authors.<ref name=IndepSub /> The RFC system is supported by the [[Internet Society]] (ISOC).

An RFC is authored by engineers and [[computer scientist]]s in the form of a [[memorandum]] describing methods, behaviors, research, or innovations applicable to the working of the Internet and Internet-connected systems. It is submitted either for [[peer review]] or to convey new concepts, information, or (occasionally) engineering humor.<ref name=":0">{{cite IETF |title=A Standard for the Transmission of IP Datagrams on Avian Carriers |rfc=1149 |last=Waitzman |first=David |date=April 1, 1990 |publisher=[[Internet Engineering Task Force|IETF]] |accessdate=March 29, 2017 }}</ref> The IETF adopts some of the proposals published as RFCs as [[Internet Standard]]s. However, many RFCs are informational or experimental in nature and are not standards.<ref>{{cite IETF |title=Not All RFCs are Standards |rfc=1796 |last1=Huitema |first1=Christian |authorlink1=Christian Huitema |last2=Postel |first2=Jon |authorlink2=Jon Postel |last3=Crocker |first3=Steve |authorlink3=Steve Crocker |date=April 1995 |publisher=[[Internet Engineering Task Force|IETF]] |accessdate=May 15, 2018 }}</ref> Request for Commentscomments documents were invented by [[Steve Crocker]] in 1969 to help record unofficial notes on the development of [[ARPANET]]. RFCs have since become official documents of Internet [[Specification (technical standard)|specifications]], [[communications protocol]]s, procedures, and events.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.livinginternet.com/i/ia_rfc.htm |title=RFC's, Internet Request For Comments |publisher=Livinginternet.com |accessdate=April 3, 2012}}</ref> According to Crocker, the documents "shape the Internet's inner workings and have played a significant role in its success", but are not well known outside the community.<ref name=nytimes>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/04/07/opinion/07crocker.html?_r=1&em |title=Stephen D. Crocker, '&#39;How the Internet Got Its Rules'&#39;, The New York Times, 6 April 2009 |publisher=Nytimes.com |date= April 7, 2009|accessdate=April 3, 2012}}</ref>