Date: 2009-11-10
From: IETF Internet Area Directors
To: ETSI TISPAN
Response Contact: jari.arkko@piuha.net
Technical Contact: jari.arkko@piuha.net
Purpose: For information
Deadline: None

It has been brought to our attention that the TISPAN specification
282.004 release 3 version includes a specification for the use of EAP
within DHCP.

We would like to inform you that while proposals for such usage have
been made in the IETF, the topic has been very controversial. In
particular, there is a concern that this type of extension may be
ill-suited to DHCP due to its requirements for increased DHCP relay
MTUs, the effect it has on the roles of the protocol participants, and
due to backwards compatibility concerns.

At this point the matter is under discussion in the DHC working group at
the IETF. We do not recommend referencing DHCP/EAP mechanisms until the
working group makes a decision to adopt such designs. Furthermore, we
would like to request that any extensions to DHCP be developed within
the DHC working group. This group has the expertise to ensure backwards
compatibility, coordination between extensions, and adherence to the
architectural principles of the protocol.

Best regards,

Jari Arkko and Ralph Droms
IETF Internet Area Directors