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Overview of IETF Structure and Activities

Jul 12, 2025

Summary

  • This content outlines the structure and offerings of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), including its mission, organizational setup, key technology areas, and participation options.
  • It highlights upcoming IETF events, recent news, and provides guides and resources for getting involved in IETF activities and meetings.
  • The website serves as a central hub for information on IETF processes, standards, ongoing projects, and opportunities to support the organization's work.

Action Items

  • None identified in the provided content.

About the IETF: Mission, Structure, and Administration

  • The IETF's mission is to develop high quality, relevant technical documents that influence Internet design, use, and management.
  • The organization is structured into various groups, including the Internet Engineering Steering Group, Internet Architecture Board, Internet Research Task Force, and several administrative and oversight bodies.
  • Information on legal requests, policy documents, financials, and administration is readily accessible.

Technologies and Areas of Work

  • IETF focuses on a range of networking technologies, such as automated network management, IoT, transport technology, security, and privacy.
  • Technology groups include areas, working groups, and other focused communities.
  • Recent updates include new working groups (e.g., WIMSE, GREEN) and technology blog posts.

Meetings and Events

  • IETF holds regular global meetings to advance work, with both online and in-person participation.
  • Upcoming major meetings: IETF 123 Madrid (19-25 July 2025) and IETF 124 Montreal (1-7 November 2025).
  • The website provides detailed guides on meeting preparation, participation, and sponsorship.

Standards Process

  • IETF standards are developed through open, well-documented processes and made freely available.
  • Resources include informal guides, protocol registries, RFC publication details, and processes for new work and appeals.
  • The site explains the roles of different entities in the standards process.

Participation and Community

  • The IETF encourages global participation, providing resources for newcomers, working group guides, tools, and mailing lists.
  • Key policies on conduct, anti-harassment, and privacy are highlighted.
  • The IETF Systers initiative and other programs support diversity and inclusion.

Support and Sponsorship

  • The IETF accepts donations and sponsorships to ensure ongoing development of a free and open Internet.
  • Ways to support include direct donations, endowment contributions, and meeting sponsorship.
  • The organization promotes values such as sustainability, diversity, and open Internet principles.

Recent News and Updates

  • Highlights include upcoming IETF meeting sessions tailored for newcomers and reports from the IGF 2025 in Norway.
  • The site centralizes announcements, blog posts, and event details.

Tools and Archives

  • Search tools are provided for the IETF email archive and Datatracker, the database of documents and group activities.

Decisions

  • None recorded in the provided content.

Open Questions / Follow-Ups

  • None noted in the provided content.