CS601_Topic017

Summary

The video explores the Internet and its standards, explaining how organizations and companies must adhere to specific guidelines to deploy and use the Internet. It covers the lifecycle of Internet standards, from drafts to proposed, draft, and finally Internet standards, with stages including RFCs (Requests for Comments). The administration of the Internet is discussed, highlighting the role of the Internet Society and the Internet Architecture Board (IAB). Additionally, it delves into the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the Internet Research Task Force (IRTF), which oversee the research and development of Internet specifications. The presentation concludes with an overview of networks, including LANs and WANs, and how they interconnect to form the global Internet.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Internet standardization process begins with an 'Internet Draft,' a working document with no official status.
• 😀 Internet Drafts can evolve into RFCs (Request for Comments), which go through various stages of maturity.
• 😀 RFCs start as 'Proposed Standards,' which are stable and understood by experts before becoming Draft Standards.
• 😀 After further testing, Draft Standards can become official 'Internet Standards' used globally.
• 😀 If an RFC becomes irrelevant, it can be classified as a 'Historic Standard,' indicating it's no longer in use.
• 😀 Some RFCs are 'Experimental' and are used for work that is not meant for general application.
• 😀 'Informational RFCs' are typically used for tutorials or historical purposes, rather than for technical standards.
• 😀 The Internet Society (ISOC) plays a key role in supporting the Internet standardization process.
• 😀 The Internet Architecture Board (IAB) oversees the technical specifications of the Internet, especially the TCP/IP suite.
• 😀 Two primary groups within IAB, IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) and IRTF (Internet Research Task Force), manage the development of Internet standards and research.
• 😀 The overall goal of these processes and organizations is to maintain the Internet's stability, security, and interoperability across the globe.

Q & A

What is an Internet standard?

An Internet standard is a set of specifications that organizations and companies must adhere to when deploying or using the Internet. These standards ensure uniformity and interoperability across the global network.

What is an Internet draft?

An Internet draft is a working document that is presented by an organization conducting research. It has no official status and lasts for only six months, after which it may progress into different stages depending on its maturity.

How does an Internet draft become a proposed standard?

An Internet draft becomes a proposed standard when it is stable, well-understood by subject matter experts, and of interest to the wider community. After at least two implementations and a lifespan of six months, it transitions into a proposed standard.

What happens after a proposed standard?

Once a proposed standard has been in use for four months and has at least two implementations, it can be converted into a draft standard. This stage indicates that the specification is more established and widely adopted.

What is the role of a draft standard?

A draft standard is an intermediate specification that is nearly ready to be finalized as an Internet standard. It requires at least two implementations and four months of use before it can become an official Internet standard.

What is a historic standard?

A historic standard is one that is no longer relevant due to newer standards replacing it. It is retained for historical purposes or in cases where it has been superseded by more current technologies or protocols.

What are experimental RFCs?

Experimental RFCs describe work related to experimental situations. These documents are not meant for general use and are typically specific to certain research or test environments.

What is the role of informational RFCs?

Informational RFCs are typically for tutorial purposes or are intended to provide general knowledge. They are not official standards and may be either historic or offer non-technical explanations.

Who is responsible for Internet standards and administration?

The Internet Society (ISOC) oversees the support of Internet standards, working alongside the Internet Architecture Board (IAB). The IAB provides technical advisory services and helps in the development of core specifications, especially for the TCP/IP suite.

What is the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)?

The IETF is a forum composed of working groups that focus on the development of technical standards for the Internet. It is managed by the Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG) and plays a crucial role in the creation of Internet protocols.