Categorization and guide to NWG/RFCs
RFC 100

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Network Working Group                                             P. Karp
Request for Comments: XXXX                                          MITRE
NIC: 5761                                                26 February 1971

                  Categorization and Guide to NWG/RFCs

   The NWG/RFC Guide is an attempt to introduce some order into the
   NWG/RFC series, which now numbers 102.  The Guide categorizes the
   NWG/RFC notes, identifies topics under discussion and the relevant
   NWG/RFCs, and indicates whether the notes are current, obsolete, or
   superseded.

   A minimum subset of NWG/RFCs is identified.  This subset consists of
   the NWG/RFCs that one should read to quickly become familiar with the
   current status of topics.

   For historical reasons and for readers interested in tracing through
   the stages of development of a topic, a brief summary is given for
   each NWG/RFC relevant to a particular category.

   This initial Guide is being issued as a NWG/RFC since it establishes
   the basis for future releases.  So, please comment! Suggestions,
   criticism, corrections, etc., will be accepted for a period of
   approximately two weeks.  Be critical as I have not had to implement
   an NCP and probably have some misconceptions regarding various
   technical points.  An official version will be released on March 26.
   The Guide will then be a unique series of documents, separate from
   NWG/RFCs (as is the Document No. 1, No. 2 series).

   With regard to renumbering NWG/RFCs, I am inclined to keep she
   sequential numbering scheme presently employed.  The main reason for
   this position is that the current numbers have both historical and
   semantic significance.  For example, reference to "#33, #66, #83,
   etc." is a convenient shorthand (reminiscent of the old corny joke
   about joke #s) used extensively during meetings.  The list of
   "current status" NWG/RFC numbers should dispel any fear of
   maintaining stacks of NWG/RFCs for quick reference.  The subject is
   not closed, however, and I will entertain any objections,
   suggestions, etc.

GUIDE TO NETWORK WORKING GROUP/REQUEST FOR COMMENTS

   The NWG/RFC notes are partitioned into 9 categories, which in turn
   are divided into subcategories.  For each category the official
   document (if any), unresolved issues, and documents to be published
   are identified.

Karp                                                            [Page 1]
RFC 100           Categorization & Guide to NWG/RFC's   26 February 1971

   For each subcategory, relevant NWG/RFCs are listed and a brief
   description of the topics addressed in each note is given.

   The categories are again listed and the current NWG/RFCs identified
   (p. 23).  The NWG/RFCs in the list comprise the subset defining
   "current status".  Note that most of the documentation in the subset
   addresses topics in Category D - Subsystem Level Protocol, where at
   the present time most issues are unresolved.

   Finally, the NWG/RFCs are listed by number, with a reference to the
   relevant categories (p. 26).

A. ADMINISTRATIVE

A.1 Distribution list

   NWG/RFC #s: 3, 10, 16, 24, 27, 30, 37, 52, 69, 95

   The distribution list contains names, addresses, and phone numbers
   for recipients of NWG/RFCs.  The most recent list, NWG/RFC 95,
   designates the Technical Liaison as the recipient for each site and
   supersedes all other RFCs in this category.

A.2 Meeting announcements

   NWG/RFC #s: 35, 43, 45, 54, 75, 85, 87, 99

   General network working group meetings are held approximately every
   three months.  Special subcommittee meetings are held on an ad hoc
   basis.  All related NWG/RFCs are obsolete except 87, announcing a
   graphics meeting to be held at MIT in April and 99, announcing a
   general NWG meeting, Atlantic City, May 16-20.

A.3 Meeting minutes

   NWG/RFC #s: 21, 37, 63, 77, 82

   The meeting minutes present highlights of issues discussed at general
   NWG meetings and report definite decisions that are made.

   To be published: A NWG/RFC will be published by Dick Watson, SRI,
   reporting on the NWG meeting held at the University of Illinois,
   February 17-19.

Karp                                                            [Page 2]
RFC 100           Categorization & Guide to NWG/RFC's   26 February 1971

A.4 Guide to NWG/RFCs

   NWG/RFC #s: 84, 100

   The NWG/RFC Guide categorizes the NWG/RFC notes, identifies topics
   under discussion, the relevant NWG/RFCs, and denotes whether the
   notes are current, obsolete, or superseded.  Included in this
   category are lists of NWG/RFCs, ordered by number (as in 84) and/or
   by author.

A.5 Policies

   NWG/RFC #s: 18, 24, 25, 27, 30, 37, 41, 48, 53, 54, 72, 73, 77, 82,
               102

   NWG/RFCs categorized as policy contain official stands on issues
   i.e., the position taken by S. Crocker, NWG Chairman.  The issues
   covered are varied.

   In particular:

   77 and 82 discuss meeting policy.