Change Process for Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) and Generalized MPLS (GMPLS) Protocols and Procedures
RFC 4929

Network Working Group                                  L. Andersson, Ed.
Request for Comments: 4929                                      Acreo AB
BCP: 129                                                  A. Farrel, Ed.
Category: Best Current Practice                       Old Dog Consulting
                                                               June 2007

      Change Process for Multiprotocol Label Switching (MPLS) and
           Generalized MPLS (GMPLS) Protocols and Procedures

Status of This Memo

   This document specifies an Internet Best Current Practices for the
   Internet Community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
   improvements.  Distribution of this memo is unlimited.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (C) The IETF Trust (2007).

Abstract

   This document provides guidelines for applying or extending the MPLS
   or GMPLS ((G)MPLS) protocol suites and clarifies the IETF's (G)MPLS
   working groups' responsibility for the (G)MPLS protocols.  This
   document is directed to multi-vendor fora and Standards Development
   Organizations (SDOs) to provide an understanding of (G)MPLS work in
   the IETF and documents the requisite use of IETF review procedures
   when considering (G)MPLS applications or protocol extensions in their
   work.  This document does not modify IETF processes.

Andersson & Farrel       Best Current Practice                  [Page 1]
RFC 4929             MPLS and GMPLS Change Process             June 2007

Table of Contents

   1. Introduction ....................................................3
      1.1. Document Source ............................................4
      1.2. Conventions Used in This Document ..........................4
   2. Overview of (G)MPLS within the IETF .............................4
      2.1. IETF Working Groups Developing (G)MPLS Technology ..........5
           2.1.1. Multiprotocol Label Switching Working Group .........5
           2.1.2. Common Control & Measurement Plane Working Group ....5
           2.1.3. MPLS and CCAMP Division of Work .....................6
      2.2. Other (G)MPLS Technology-Related Working Groups ............6
      2.3. Organizations Outside the IETF .............................7
   3. Overview of (G)MPLS Change Process ..............................8
   4. MPLS and GMPLS Change Process ...................................9
      4.1. Flow Diagram ..............................................10
      4.2. Description of Process Stages .............................11
           4.2.1. Preliminary Investigation ..........................12
           4.2.2. Requirements Statement Evaluation ..................13
           4.2.3. Working Group Procedures ...........................14
           4.2.4. REWG Evaluation of the Requirements Statement I-D ..14
           4.2.5. AD Evaluation of Completed Requirements
                  Statement I-D ......................................14
           4.2.6. IESG review of Requirements Statement I-D
                  and PSWG Charter ...................................15
           4.2.7. Solutions Work .....................................15
   5. Rejecting the Requirements Statements I-D ......................16
      5.1. Reasons for Rejection .....................................16
      5.2. Actions Required When Rejecting Requirements
           Statement I-Ds ............................................18
      5.3. Appeals ...................................................18
   6. Abandonment of the Solutions I-D ...............................19
      6.1. Appeals ...................................................19
   7. (G)MPLS Integrity and Ownership ................................19
   8. Security Considerations ........................................20
   9. Acknowledgements ...............................................20
   10. IANA Considerations ...........................................21
   11. References ....................................................21
      11.1. Normative References .....................................21
      11.2. Informative References ...................................21

Andersson & Farrel       Best Current Practice                  [Page 2]
RFC 4929             MPLS and GMPLS Change Process             June 2007

1.  Introduction

   The MPLS and GMPLS technology is developed in two main tracks in the
   IETF.  "MPLS" refers to the work done for packet switched networks,
   while "GMPLS" refers to the efforts to apply the MPLS protocols to
   all types of networks including packet and non-packet technologies.

   Though GMPLS by definition is a superset of MPLS, the term "(G)MPLS"
   is used in this document to indicate both of these tracks.  A