RFC 902 (rfc902) - Page 1 of 5
ARPA Internet Protocol policy
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group J. Postel
Request for Comments: 902 J. Reynolds
ISI
July 1984
ARPA-Internet Protocol Policy
Status of this Memo
This memo is a policy statement on how protocols become official
standards for the ARPA-Internet and the DARPA research community.
This is an official policy statement of the ICCB and the DARPA.
Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Introduction
The purpose of this memo is to explain how protocol standards are
adopted for the ARPA-Internet and the DARPA research community.
There are three important aspects to be discussed: the process, the
authority, and the complex relationship between the DARPA community
and the DDN community. To do this some background must be given and
some of the players described.
DARPA = Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency
DDN = Defense Data Network
The DARPA World
The DARPA world is headed up by the DARPA office. DARPA sponsors
research on many subjects with a number of contractors. This set of
contractors is called the "DARPA research community". DARPA
typically casts its research efforts into "programs" that involve
work by several contractors. One program is the "Internet Program",
which is researching computer communications issues and constructing
experimental communication systems. When the experiments are
successful, the results are often put into use to support further
work in the Internet Program and other DARPA research programs. In
this way, DARPA developed the ARPANET, SATNET, Packet Radio Networks,
and the Internet.
In 1981 DARPA established the Internet Configuration Control Board
(ICCB) to help manage the DARPA Internet Program.
Postel & Reynolds
