● Covered by 1 source · 1 reportMedium impact1 neutral
IAB Publishes RFC 8890: The Internet is for End Users
Key points
- IAB published RFC 8890: The Internet is for End Users.
- RFC 8890 urges IETF to prioritize end-user interests.
- IETF decisions have impact beyond technical considerations.
- IETF operates by 'rough consensus' for technical design.
New RFC Prioritizes End-Users
The Internet Architecture Board (IAB) has released RFC 8890, named "The Internet is for End Users." This document asserts that the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) should base its decisions on what is beneficial for internet users and actively work towards achieving that goal.
IETF's Role in Internet Design
The IETF is central to the internet's design and operation, having been formed in the 1980s by engineers who developed core internet technologies. It serves as the primary forum for documenting the internet's technical design and has overseen the development of protocols such as TCP, IP, DNS, and HTTP.
The IETF operates on a principle of 'rough consensus' rather than formal voting, with participants representing themselves. Decisions on specifications are made by finding the best technical solution, not by company support.
Technical Decisions and Political Impact
While many IETF decisions are technical, concerning aspects like byte placement and server reactions, the RFC highlights that these decisions inevitably have an impact beyond purely technical considerations. The document states that the resulting running code "afford[s] some uses while discouraging others," indicating that technical choices inherently carry political implications.
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Reporting from
The Internet Architecture Board (IAB) has published RFC 8890, titled "The Internet is for End Users," which advocates for the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) to prioritize the interests of end-users in its decision-making processes. This RFC emphasizes that IETF decisions, while technical, have political implications and should actively benefit the people who use the internet.