Internet DRAFT - draft-huston-iana
draft-huston-iana
Individual Submission G. Huston,
Internet Draft S. Bradner
Document: draft-huston-iana-00.txt October 2002
Category: BCP
Expires: April 2003
Defining the Role and Function of the IETF-IANA
Status of this Memo
This document is an Internet-Draft and is in full conformance with
all provisions of Section 10 of RFC2026.
Internet-Drafts are working documents of the Internet Engineering
Task Force (IETF), its areas, and its working groups. Note that
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The list of current Internet-Drafts can be accessed at
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Comments on this draft should be directed to gih@telstra.net.
Abstract
This memo describes the role and function of the IETF-IANA.
Many IETF protocols make use of commonly defined values that are
passed within protocol objects. To ensure consistent interpretation
of these values between independent implementations, there is a need
to ensure that the values and associated semantic intent are
uniquely defined.
The IETF uses a single registry to register these protocol values
and their associated semantic intent. In this memo the registry
function is referred to as the IETF Internet Assigned Numbers
Authority (IETF-IANA).
This document provides a description of this function and proposes
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that this description be adopted by the Internet Architecture Board
(IAB).
1. Introduction
Many IETF protocols make use of commonly defined values that are
passed within protocol objects. To ensure consistent interpretation
of these values between independent implementations, there is a need
to ensure that the values and associated semantic intent are
uniquely defined.
The IETF uses a single registry to register these protocol values
and their associated semantic intent.
Historically, this registry is referred to as the Internet Assigned
Numbers Authority (IANA). In this context the IANA function has
included both the registration of protocol-specific identifier
values (e.g. TCP parameters) as well as the registration of various
numbering and name resources that are used within public Internet
networks (e.g. IPv4 address allocations).
In this document a distinction is drawn between the registration of
protocol parameters for protocols defined in IETF RFCs, and other
IANA functions. The new term to describe the IETF-related activity
is the "IETF-IANA".
The document describes this IETF-IANA function as it applies to the
IETF Internet Standards Process. [RFC1700]
2. Definition of IETF-IANA
The Internet Standards document STD-2 [RFC1700], published in
October 1994, defined the role of the IANA as follows:
The Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA) is the central
coordinator for the assignment of unique parameter values for
Internet protocols. The IANA is chartered by the Internet
Society (ISOC) and the Federal Network Council (FNC) to act as
the clearinghouse to assign and coordinate the use of numerous
Internet protocol parameters.
The Internet protocol suite, as defined by the Internet
Engineering Task Force (IETF) and its steering group (the IESG),
contains numerous parameters, such as internet protocol
addresses, domain names, autonomous system numbers (used in some
routing protocols), protocol numbers, port numbers, management
information base object identifiers, including private
enterprise numbers, and many others.
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The common use of the Internet protocols by the Internet
community requires that the particular values used in these
parameter fields be assigned uniquely. It is the task of the
IANA to make those unique assignments as requested and to
maintain a registry of the currently assigned values. [RFC1700]
The definition of the IETF-IANA role is provided in BCP 26
[RFC2434]:
Many protocols make use of identifiers consisting of constants
and other well-known values. Even after a protocol has been
defined and deployment has begun, new values may need to be
assigned (e.g., for a new option type in DHCP, or a new
encryption or authentication algorithm for IPSec). To insure
that such quantities have consistent values and interpretations
in different implementations, their assignment must be
administered by a central authority. For IETF protocols, that
role is provided by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority
(IANA). [RFC2434]
The operation of the IETF-IANA role is described in the MoU Between
IETF and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers
(ICANN) concerning IANA [RFC2860]
4.1. The IANA will assign and register Internet protocol
parameters only as directed by the criteria and procedures
specified in RFCs, including Proposed, Draft and full Internet
Standards and Best Current Practice documents, and any other RFC
that calls for IANA assignment. If they are not so specified, or
in case of ambiguity, IANA will continue to assign and register
Internet protocol parameters that have traditionally been
registered by IANA, following past and current practice for such
assignments, unless otherwise directed by the IESG.
If in doubt or in case of a technical dispute, IANA will seek
and follow technical guidance exclusively from the IESG. Where
appropriate the IESG will appoint an expert to advise IANA.
The IANA will work with the IETF to develop any missing criteria
and procedures over time, which the IANA will adopt when so
instructed by the IESG.[RFC2860]
3. Publication of IETF-IANA Assignments
The current mode of publication of IETF-IANA assignments is
described in the Informational Document RFC 3232 [RFC3232],
published in January 2002:
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From November 1977 through October 1994, the Internet Assigned
Numbers Authority (IANA) periodically published tables of the
Internet protocol parameter assignments in RFCs entitled,
"Assigned Numbers". The most current of these Assigned Numbers
RFCs had Standard status and carried the designation: STD 2. At
this time, the latest STD 2 is RFC 1700.
Since 1994, this sequence of RFCs have been replaced by an
online database accessible through a web page (currently,
www.iana.org). The purpose of the present RFC is to note this
fact and to officially obsolete RFC 1700, whose status changes
to Historic. RFC 1700 is obsolete, and its values are
incomplete and in some cases may be wrong. [RFC3232]
4. The Procedures related to IETF-IANA Parameter Management
IETF-IANA actions are defined through the inclusion of an "IANA
Considerations" section in Internet Standards documents, as
described in RFC 2434 [RFC1700]. There are also RFCs that
specifically address IANA considerations for particular protocols,
such as RFC 2780, [RFC2870], RFC 2939 [RFC2939], and RFC 2978
[RFC2978].
5. The Operation of the IETF-IANA
As documented in the IAB Charter [RFC2850], the role of the Internet
Architecture Board includes responsibility for the IANA function.
Specifically, the IAB, acting on behalf of the IETF, approves the
appointment of an organization to act as IANA on behalf of the IETF,
and also approves the terms and conditions of this delegation of the
IANA function.
The IANA has a non-voting liaison with the IAB to facilitate clear
communications and effective operation of the IETF-IANA function.
The technical direction of the IANA with respect to IETF-IANA is
provided by the Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG).
[RFC2850] The IANA has a non-voting liaison with the IESG to
facilitate clear communications and effective operation of the IETF-
IANA function.
6. Current IETF-IANA Protocol Parameter Assignments
The list of current IETF-IANA protocols for which parameter
assignments are registered by IANA is listed in reference
[IANA.ORG].
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With reference to the IETF-IANA, the protocol parameters that are
excluded from the scope of the IETF-IANA role are the registration
of unicast IPv4 address blocks, unicast IPv6 address blocks,
Autonomous System blocks, and top level delegations within the
Domain Name System, as they are considered to be outside the scope
of the IETF-IANA as defined in Section 2 of this document.
7. A Description of the Operation and Responsibilities of the IETF-IANA
A description of the operation and responsibilities of the IETF-IANA
is proposed for consideration by the Internet Architecture Board.
This document is intended to clearly describe and define the role of
the IETF-IANA and the related roles of the IAB, the IESG, and the
Internet Society. A draft of such a description is contained in
Attachment A.
8. Acknowledgements
The authors acknowledge the assistance provided by reviewers of
earlier drafts of this document, including James Kempf, Ran
Atkinson, Sally Floyd, Harald Alvestrand and Leslie Daigle.
9. References
[RFC1700] Reynolds, J., Postel, J., "ASSIGNED NUMBERS", STD2,
RFC1700, October 1994.
[RFC2434] Narten, T., Alvestrand, H., "Guidelines for Writing an
IANA Considerations Section in RFCs", BCP26, RFC2434, October
1998.
[RFC2860] Carpenter, B., Baker, F., Roberts, M., "Memorandum of
Understanding Concerning the Technical Work of the Internet
Assigned Numbers Authority", RFC2860, June 2000.
[RFC3232] Reynolds, J. ed., "Assigned Numbers: RFC 1700 is Replaced
by an On-line Database", RFC3232, January 2002.
[RFC2870] Bradner, S., Paxson, V., "IANA Allocation Guidelines For
Values In the Internet Protocol and Related Headers", BCP37, RFC
2780, March 2000.
[RFC2939] Droms, R., "Procedures and IANA Guidelines for Definition
of New DHCP Options and Message Types.", BCP43, RFC 2939,
September 2000.
[RFC2978] Freed, N., Postel, J., "IANA Charset Registration
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Procedures", BCP19, RFC 2978, October 2000.
[RFC2850] Carpenter, B., ed., "Charter of the Internet Architecture
Board (IAB)" BCP39, RFC 2850, May 2000.
[IANA.ORG] "IANA Protocol Numbers and Assignment Services" available
online as http://www.iana.org/numbers.htm
[DYSON] Correspondence from Esther Dyson, Interim Chairman,
ICANN to Scott Bradner, Brian Carpenter and Fred Baker of the
IETF, Feb 25 1999, http://www.icann.org/correspondence/bradner-
dyson-25feb99.htm
10. Authors
Geoff Huston
Telstra
242 Exhibition St, Melbourne
AUSTRALIA
EMail: gih@telstra.net
Scott Bradner
Harvard University
29 Oxford St
CAmbridge MA 02138
USA
EMail: sob@harvard.edu
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Attachment A
The Operation and Responsibilities of the IETF-IANA
Abstract
This memo describes the operation and role of the IETF-IANA, and the
roles of related bodies with reference to the IETF-IANA function.
Introduction
Many protocols make use of identifiers consisting of constants and
other well-known values. Even after a protocol has been defined and
deployment has begun, new values may need to be assigned (e.g., for
a new option type in DHCP, or a new encryption or authentication
algorithm for IPSec). To insure that such quantities have
consistent values and interpretations in different implementations,
their assignment must be administered by a central authority. For
IETF protocols, that role is provided by the IETF Internet Assigned
Numbers Authority (IETF-IANA).
IETF-IANA Role
The IETF-IANA is a function undertaken under the auspices of the
Internet Architecture Board (IAB).
The roles of the IETF-IANA are as follows:
- Review and Advise
The IETF-IANA reviews Internet-Drafts that are being considered by
the IESG, with the objective of offering advice to the IESG
regarding the need for an IANA Considerations section, whether
such a section, when required, is clear in terms of direction to
IETF-IANA and whether the section is consistent with the current
published IETF- IANA Guidelines.
- Registry
The IETF-IANA operates a registry of protocol parameter
assignments.
This registry includes:
* all protocol parameters that are managed by IETF-IANA,
* for each protocol parameter, a reference to the RFC document
that describes the parameter and the associated IANA
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Considerations concerning the parameter, and
* for each registration of a protocol parameter, the source of the
registration and the date of the registration.
The registry operates as a public registry, and the contents of
the registry are openly available to the public, on-line and free
of charge.
The IETF-IANA assigns protocol parameter values in accordance with
the policy associated with the protocol parameter. (Some policies
are listed in RFC 2434. [RFC2434])
- Mailing Lists
The IETF-IANA operates public mailing lists as specified in IANA
Considerations. Such lists are designated for the purpose of
review of assignment proposals in conjunction with a designated
expert review function.
- Liaison
The IETF-IANA designates an individual to act as a non-voting
liaison to the IAB.
The IETF-IANA designates an individual to act as a non-voting
liaison to the IESG. The IETF-IANA liases with the IESG regarding
the provision of advice to the IESG on IETF protocol parameters as
well as the IANA Considerations section of Internet-drafts that
are being reviewed for publication as an RFC.
- Reporting
The IETF-IANA will submit periodic reports to the IAB concerning
IETF-IANA operational performance of the registry function.
The IETF-IANA will undertake periodic reports to the IETF Plenary
concerning the status of the IETF-IANA role.
The IETF-IANA will publish an annual report describing the status
of the IETF-IANA function and a summary of performance indicators.
- Intellectual Property Rights and the IETF-IANA
IETF-IANA assigned values are published and made available free of
any charges and free of any constraints relating to further
redistribution, with the caveat that the IETF-IANA assignment
information may not be modified in any redistributed copy.
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Any intellectual property rights of IETF-IANA assignment
information, including the IETF-IANA registry and its contents,
are to be held by the IETF and ISOC, and all IETF-IANA
publications relating to assignment information are to be
published under the terms of Section 10 of RFC2026, and are to
include the copyright notice as documented in Section 10.4 (C) of
RFC2026. [RFC2939] [DYSON]
IAB role
The IETF-IANA is a function undertaken under the auspices of the
Internet Architecture Board (IAB).
The IAB has the responsibility to, from time to time, review the
current description of the IETF-IANA function and to adopt
amendments relating to its role and mode of operation of the IETF-
IANA according to the best interests of the IETF.
The IAB has the responsibility to select an organization to
undertake the delegated functions of the IETF-IANA.
The IAB has the responsibility to determine the terms and conditions
of this delegated role. Such terms and conditions should ensure that
the IETF-IANA operates in a manner that is fully conformant to the
functions described in this document. In addition, such terms and
conditions must not restrict the rights and interests of the IETF
with respect to the IETF-IANA function.
The IETF-IANA designates a non-voting liaison to the IAB to
facilitate clear communications and effective operation of the IETF-
IANA function.
IESG Role
The IESG is responsible for the technical direction of the IETF-
IANA. Such technical direction is provided through the adoption of
IETF RFC documents within the "IANA Considerations" section of such
documents, or as stand-alone "IANA Considerations" RFC documents.
The IESG shall ensure that the review of Internet-Drafts that are
offered for publications as RFCs ensures that IANA Considerations
sections are present when needed, and that IANA Considerations
sections conform to the current published guidelines.
The IETF-IANA designates a non-voting liaison to the IESG to
facilitate clear communications and effective operation of the IETF-
IANA function.
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Internet Society Role
Any intellectual property rights of IETF-IANA assignment
information, including the IETF-IANA registry and its contents, and
all IETF-IANA publications, are to be held by the Internet Society
on behalf of the IETF.
Acknowledgement
This document is adapted from RFC2434 [RFC2434], and has been
modified to include explicit reference to Intellectual Property
Rights, and the roles of the IAB and IESG in relation to the IETF-
IANA function.
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