Subject: Establishment of a formal liaison relationship with IETF MPLS working group Date: Tue, 8 Feb 2005 12:09:24 -0800 To: "George Swallow" , "Loa Anderson" , "Ina Minei" From: "J. Rao Cherukuri" Dear George, Loa and Ina: The MPLS and Frame Relay Alliance (MFA) met in San Francisco CA from 1-4 February 2005. We would like to thank the IETF MPLS working group for the response to our recent communication. We were very pleased to receive your communication indicating an interest in establishing open communication with the MPLS & Frame Relay Alliance. The MFA Technical Committee shares exactly the same view. Since both organizations have indicated a desire to communicate, we would like to pursue the IETF formal liaison process as described in: http://www.ietf.org/internet-drafts/draft-iab-liaison-mgt-03.txt According to draft-iab-liaison-mgt-03.txt, "A liaison relationship is set up when it is mutually agreeable and needed for some specific purpose, in the view of the other organization, the IAB, and the IETF participants conducting the work. There is no set process or form for this; the IETF participants and the peer organization approach the IAB, and after discussion come to an agreement to form the relationship." The MFA is creating MPLS implementation agreements based on protocols developed by the IETF MPLS working group. The MFA can be a source of requirements input for the MPLS and GMPLS protocols. The MFA understands and supports the IETF processes. Since there is interest from both sides to have an open communication that would benefit both organizations, the MFA would appreciate the IETF MPLS working group taking the next step as suggested by the IETF document on the management of liaison relations which is to approach the IAB with our mutual interest. Cordially, Rao Cherukuri Chairman, MPLS and Frame Relay Alliance Technical Committe