An RFC (Request for Comments) is a publication in a series from the principal technical development and standards-setting bodies for the Internet, most prominently the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). Let’s dive into the details:
- Purpose and Origin:
- An RFC is authored by individuals or groups of engineers and computer scientists.
- It takes the form of a memorandum describing methods, behaviors, research, or innovations applicable to the working of the Internet and Internet-connected systems.
- RFCs serve multiple purposes:
- Peer Review: Some RFCs are submitted for peer review.
- New Concepts: Others convey new concepts or information.
- Engineering Humor: Occasionally, RFCs even include engineering humor.
- The RFC system was invented by Steve Crocker in 1969 to help record unofficial notes on the development of ARPANET.
- RFCs have since become official documents of Internet specifications, communications protocols, procedures, and events.
- Adoption and Standards:
- The IETF adopts some of the proposals published as RFCs as Internet Standards.
- However, many RFCs are informational or experimental in nature and are not standards.
- History:
- The inception of the RFC format occurred in 1969 as part of the seminal ARPANET project.
- The authors of the first RFCs typewrote their work and circulated hard copies among ARPA researchers.
- Unlike modern RFCs, early ones were titled as “Requests for Comments” to encourage discussion and avoid sounding too declarative.
- RFCs leave questions open and are written in a less formal style.
- Today, RFCs are the official publication channel for the IETF, the Internet Architecture Board (IAB), and the global community of computer network researchers.
RFCs play a crucial role in shaping the Internet’s inner workings and have significantly contributed to its success.
