RFC

3/2/2001

Request For Comments (RFC): RFCs are the "specifications" that define Internet standards and conventions. The Internet specifications are developed by an Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the IETF Steering Group (IESG). An RFC Editorial Group is custodian of the actual documents. While all IETF/IESG specifications are published as RFCs, not all RFCs originate with the IETF/IESG. Some RFCs are tutorials, informational, or are records of discussions.

A list of the published RFCs is available via ftp from https://www.rfc-editor.org/

RFCs do not have versions, but errata sheets are maintained. A corrected RFC, if one is required will be published as a new RFC. The status of RFCs in the process of being turned into standards is tracked and occasionally published as an RFC called "Internet Official Protocol Standards"

Early on, a few RFC numbers were issued for documents that were never written. In addition, many early RFCs exist only in hard copy.

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