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Network Working Group                                        A. WeinribRequest for Comments: 2014                            Intel CorporationBCP: 8                                                        J. PostelCategory: Best Current Practice                                     ISI                                                           October 1996IRTF Research Group Guidelines and ProceduresStatus 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.Abstract   The Internet Research Task Force (IRTF) has responsibility for   organizing groups to investigate research topics related to the   Internet protocols, applications, and technology. IRTF activities are   organized into Research Groups.  This document describes the   guidelines and procedures for formation and operation of IRTF   Research Groups.  It describes the relationship between IRTF   participants, Research Groups, the Internet Research Steering Group   (IRSG) and the Internet Architecture Board (IAB).  The basic duties   of IRTF participants, including the IRTF Chair, Research Group Chairs   and IRSG members are defined.1.   INTRODUCTION   This document defines guidelines and procedures for Internet Research   Task Force (IRTF) Research Groups.  The IRTF focuses on longer term   research issues related to the Internet while the parallel   organization, the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), focuses on   the shorter term issues of engineering and standards making.   The Internet is a loosely-organized international collaboration of   autonomous, interconnected networks; it supports host-to-host   communication through voluntary adherence to open protocols and   procedures defined by Internet Standards, a collection of which are   commonly known as "the TCP/IP protocol suite".  Development and   review of potential Internet Standards from all sources is conducted   by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).  The Internet   Standards Process is defined in [1].Weinrib & Postel         Best Current Practice                  [Page 1]

RFC 2014             IRTF Research Group Guidelines         October 1996   The IRTF is a composed of a number of focused, long-term, small   Research Groups.  These groups work on topics related to Internet   protocols, applications, architecture and technology. Research Groups   are expected to have the stable long term membership needed to   promote the development of research collaboration and teamwork in   exploring research issues.  Participation is by individual   contributors, rather than by representatives of organizations.   The IRTF is managed by the IRTF Chair in consultation with the   Internet Research Steering Group (IRSG).  The IRSG membership   includes the IRTF Chair, the chairs of the various Research Group and   possibly other individuals ("members at large") from the research   community.   The IRTF Chair is appointed by the IAB, the Research Group chairs are   appointed as part of the formation of Research Groups (as detailed   below) and the IRSG members at large are chosen by the IRTF Chair in   consultation with the rest of the IRSG and on approval by the IAB.   In addition to managing the Research Groups, the IRSG may from time   to time hold topical workshops focusing on research areas of   importance to the evolution of the Internet, or more general   workshops to, for example, discuss research priorities from an   Internet perspective.   This document defines procedures and guidelines for formation and   operation of Research Groups in the IRTF.  The duties of the IRTF   Chair, the Research Group Chairs and IRSG members are also described.   Except for members at large of the IRSG, there is no general   participation in the IRTF, only participation in a specific Research   Group.   The document uses: "shall", "will", "must" and "is required" where it   describes steps in the process that are essential, and uses:   "suggested", "should" and "may" where guidelines are described that   are not essential, but are strongly recommended to help smooth   Research Group operation.  The terms "they", "them" and "their" are   used in this document as third-person singular pronouns.1.1. IRTF approach   The reader is encouraged to study The Internet Standards Process [1]   to gain a complete understanding of the philosophy, procedures and   guidelines of the IETF and its approach to standards making.   The IRTF does not set standards, and thus has somewhat different and   complementary philosophy and procedures.  In particular, an IRTF   Research Group is expected to be long-lived, producing a sequence ofWeinrib & Postel         Best Current Practice                  [Page 2]

RFC 2014             IRTF Research Group Guidelines         October 1996   "products" over time.  The products of a Research Group are research   results that may be disseminated by publication in scholarly journals   and conferences, as white papers for the community, as Informational   RFCs, and so on.  In addition, it is expected that technologies   developed in a Research Group will be brought to the IETF as input to   IETF Working Group(s) for possible standardization.   However,   Research Group input carries no more weight than other community   input, and goes through the same standards setting process as any   other proposal.   IRTF Research Groups are formed to encourage research in areas of   importance to the evolution of the Internet.  Clearly, anyone may   conduct such research, whether or not they are members of a Research   Group.  The expectation is that by sponsoring Research Groups, the   IRTF can foster cross-organizational collaboration, help to create   "critical mass" in important research areas, and add to the   visibility and impact of the work.   IRTF Research Groups may have open or closed memberships.  Limited   membership may be advantageous to the formation of the long term   working relationships that are critical to successful collaborative   research.  However, limited membership must be used with care and   sensitivity to avoid unnecessary fragmentation of the work of the   research community. Allowing limited membership is in stark contrast   to IETF Working Groups, which are always open; this contrast reflects   the different goals and environments of the two organizations-   research vs. standards setting.   To ameliorate the effects of closed membership, all Research Groups   are required to regularly report progress to the community, and are   encouraged to hold occasional open meetings (most likely co-located   with IETF meetings). In addition, the IRTF may host open plenaries at   regular IETF meetings during which research results of interest to   the community are presented.  Finally, multiple Research Groups   working in the same general area may be formed if appropriate.   Even more than the IETF, the work of the IRSG is expected to be   marked by informality.  The goal is to encourage and foster valuable   research, not to add burdensome bureaucracy to the endeavor.1.2. Acknowledgments   This document is based on the March 1994 RFC "IETF Working Group   Guidelines and Procedures" by E. Huizer and D. Crocker [2].Weinrib & Postel         Best Current Practice                  [Page 3]

RFC 2014             IRTF Research Group Guidelines         October 19962.  RESEARCH GROUP FORMATION   Research Groups are the activity centers in the IRTF.  A Research   Group is typically created to address a research area related to   Internet protocols, applications, architecture or technology area.   Research Groups have the stable long term membership needed to   promote the development of research collaboration and teamwork in   exploring research issues.  Participation is by individual   contributors, rather than by representatives of organizations.   A Research Group may be established at the initiative of an   individual or group of individuals.  Anyone interested in creating an   IRTF Research Group must submit a charter for the proposed group to   the IRTF Chair along with a list of proposed founding members.  The   charter will be reviewed by the IRSG and then forwarded to the IAB   for approval.   If approved, the charter is placed on the IRTF Web site, and   published in the Internet Monthly Report (IMR).2.1. Criteria for formation   In determining whether it is appropriate to create a Research Group,   the IRTF Chair, the IRSG and the IAB will consider several issues:   -  Is the research area that the Research Group plans to address      clear and relevant for the Internet community?   -  Will the formation of the Research Group foster work that would      not be done otherwise.  For instance, membership drawn from more      than a single institution, more than a single country, and so on,      is to be encouraged.   -  Do the Research Group's activities overlap with those of another      Research Group?  If so, it may still be appropriate to create the      Research Group, but this question must be considered carefully      since subdividing efforts often dilutes the available technical      expertise.Weinrib & Postel         Best Current Practice                  [Page 4]

RFC 2014             IRTF Research Group Guidelines         October 1996   -  Is there sufficient interest and expertise in the Research Group's      topic with at least several people willing to expend the effort      that is likely to produce significant results over time?  Research      Groups require considerable effort, including management of the      Research Group process, editing of Research Group documents, and      contribution to the document text.  IRTF experience suggests that      these roles typically cannot all be handled by one person; at      least four or five active participants are typically required.  To      help in this determination, a proposal to create a Research Group      should include a list of potential charter members.   The Internet Architecture Board (IAB) will also review the charter of   the proposed Research Group to determine the relationship of the   proposed work to the overall architecture of the Internet Protocol   Suite.2.2. Charter   A charter is a contract between a Research Group and the IRTF to   conduct research in the designated area. Charters may be renegotiated   periodically to reflect changes to the current status, organization   or goals of the Research Group.   The formation of a Research Group requires a charter which is   initially negotiated between a prospective Research Group Chair and   the IRTF Chair.  When the prospective Chair and the IRTF Chair are   satisfied with the charter form and content, it becomes the basis for   forming a Research Group.   A IRTF Research Group charter consists of five sections:   1.  Research Group Name      A Research Group name should be reasonably descriptive or      identifiable.  Additionally, the group shall define an acronym      (maximum 8 printable ASCII characters) to reference the group in      the IRTF directories, mailing lists, and general documents.  The      name and acronym must not conflict with any IETF names and      acronyms.   2.  Chair(s)      The Research Group may have one or two Chair(s) to perform the      administrative functions of the group. The email address(es) of      the Chair(s) shall be included.Weinrib & Postel         Best Current Practice                  [Page 5]

RFC 2014             IRTF Research Group Guidelines         October 1996   3.  Mailing list(s)      Each Research Group shall have an address (possibly the Chair's)      for members of the Internet community to send queries regarding      the Research Group.    For instance, for requests to join the      group.      A Research Group, whether limited membership or open, will have an      "interest" Internet mailing list open to all interested parties.      This list is used for an open discussion of the issues and      announcements of results as they become available.  Included      should be the address to which an interested party sends a      subscription request for the interest list and the procedures to      follow when subscribing, and the location of the interest mailing      list archive.      It is expected that a Research Group may also have a mailing list      limited to the regular meeting participants on which substantial      part of the work of a Research Group is likely to be conducted via      e-mail.   4.  Membership Policy      The Charter must define the membership policy (whether open or      limited), and the procedure to apply for membership in the group.      While limited membership is permitted, it is in no way encouraged      or required.   5.  Description of Research Group      The focus and intent of the group shall be set forth briefly. By      reading this section alone, an individual should be able to decide      whether this group is relevant to their own work.  The first      paragraph must give a brief summary of the research area, basis,      goal(s) and approach(es) planned for the Research Group.  This      paragraph will frequently be used as an overview of the Research      Group's effort.      To facilitate evaluation of the intended work and to provide on-      going guidance to the Research Group, the charter shall describe      the proposed research and shall discuss objectives and expected      impact with respect to the Internet Architecture.3.  RESEARCH GROUP OPERATION   Research Groups are autonomous and each determines most of the   details of its own operation with respect to session participation,   reaching closure, norms of behavior, etc.  Since the products areWeinrib & Postel         Best Current Practice                  [Page 6]

RFC 2014             IRTF Research Group Guidelines         October 1996   research results, not Internet standards, consensus of the group is   not required.  Rather, the measure of success is the quality and   impact of the research results.   A number of procedural questions and issues will arise over time, and   it is the function of the Research Group Chair to manage the group   process, keeping in mind that the overall purpose of the group is to   make progress towards realizing the Research Group's goals and   objectives.   There are few hard and fast rules on organizing or conducting   Research Group activities, but a set of guidelines and practices have   evolved over time that have proven successful. These are listed here,   with actual choices typically determined by the Research Group   members and the Chair.3.1. Meeting planning   For coordinated, structured Research Group interactions, the Chair   must publish to the group mailing list a draft agenda well in advance   of the actual meeting. The agenda needs to contain at least:   -    The items for discussion;   -    The estimated time necessary per item; and   -    A clear indication of what documents the participants will        need to read before the meeting in order to be well        prepared.   A Research Group will conduct much of its business via its electronic   mail distribution list(s).  It is also likely to meet periodically to   accomplish those things that are better achieved in more interactive   meetings, such as brainstorming, heated altercations, etc.  Meetings   may be scheduled as telephone conference, video teleconference, or   face-to-face (physical) meetings.   It is strongly encouraged that all Research Group meetings be   recorded in written minutes, to keep informed members who were not   present and the community at large and to document the proceedings   for present and future members.  These minutes should include the   agenda for the meeting, an account of the high points of the   discussion, and a list of attendees.  Unless the Research Group chair   decides otherwise, the minutes should be sent to the interest group   and made available through the IRTF Web and ftp sites.Weinrib & Postel         Best Current Practice                  [Page 7]

RFC 2014             IRTF Research Group Guidelines         October 19963.2. Meeting venue   Each Research Group will determine the balance of email and face-to-   face meetings that is appropriate for making progress on its goals.   Electronic mail permits the easiest and most affordable   participation; face-to-face meetings often permit better focus, more   productive debate and enhanced working relationships.   Face-to-face meetings are encouraged to be held co-located with the   regular IETF meetings to minimize travel, since IRTF members are   often also active in the IETF and to encourage the cross-   fertilization that occurs during hallway and after-hours   interactions.  Furthermore, as described above, even limited-   membership Research Groups are encouraged to hold occasional open   meetings; an IETF meeting would serve as an ideal venue for such an   event.3.3. Meeting management   The challenge to managing Research Group meetings is to balance the   need for consideration of the various issues, opinions and approaches   against the need to allow forward progress.  The Research Group, as a   whole, has the final responsibility for striking this balance.4.  RESEARCH GROUP TERMINATION   If, at some point, it becomes evident that a Research Group is not   making progress in the research areas defined in its charter, or   fails to regularly report the results of its research to the   community, the IRTF Chair can, in consultation with Group, either:      1.   Require that the group recharter to refocus on a different      set of problems,      2.   Request that the group choose new Chair(s), or      3.   Disband the group.   If the Research Group disagrees with the IRTF Chair's choice, it may   appeal to the IAB.5.  STAFF ROLES   Research Groups require considerable care and feeding.  In addition   to general participation, successful  Research Groups benefit from   the efforts of participants filling specific functional roles.Weinrib & Postel         Best Current Practice                  [Page 8]

RFC 2014             IRTF Research Group Guidelines         October 19965.1. IRTF Chair   The IRTF Chair is responsible for ensuring that  Research Groups   produce coherent, coordinated, architecturally consistent and timely   output as a contribution to the overall evolution of the Internet   architecture.  In addition to the detailed tasks related to  Research   Groups outlined below, the IRTF Chair may also from time to time   arrange for topical workshops attended by the IRSG and perhaps other   experts in the field.   Planning      The IRTF Chair monitors the range of activities.  This may include      encouraging the formation of Research Groups directly, rather than      waiting for proposals from IRTF participants.   Coordination of Research Groups      The IRTF Chair coordinates the work done by the various Research      Groups.   Reporting      The IRTF Chair reports on IRTF progress to the to the IAB and the      wider Internet community (including via the IMR).   Progress tracking      The IRTF Chair tracks and manages the progress of the various      Research Groups with the aid of a regular status report on      documents and accomplishments from the Research Group Chairs. The      resulting reports are made available to the community at large at      regular intervals.5.2.  IRSG Member   Members of the IRSG are responsible for advising the IRTF Chair on   the chartering of new Research Groups and other matters relating to   the smooth operation of the IRTF.  In addition, most IRSG members are   also Research Group chairs.Weinrib & Postel         Best Current Practice                  [Page 9]

RFC 2014             IRTF Research Group Guidelines         October 19965.3. Research Group Chair   The Research Group Chair is concerned with making forward progress in   the areas under investigation, and has wide discretion in the conduct   of Research Group business.  The Chair must ensure that a number of   tasks are performed, either directly or by others assigned to the   tasks.  This encompasses at the very least the following:   Ensuring the Research Group process and content management      The Chair has ultimate responsibility for ensuring that a Research      Group achieves forward progress.  For some  Research Groups, this      can be accomplished by having the Chair perform all management-      related activities.  In other  Research Groups -- particularly      those with large or divisive participation -- it is helpful to      allocate process and/or secretarial functions to other      participants.  Process management pertains strictly to the style      of Research Group interaction and not to its content.  The      secretarial function encompasses preparation of minutes, and      possibly editing of group-authored  documents.   Moderate the Research Group email list      The Chair should attempt to ensure that the discussions on this      list are relevant and that not devolve to "flame" attacks or rat-      hole into technical trivia.  The Chair should make sure that      discussions on the list are summarized and that the outcome is      well documented (to avoid repetition).   Organize, prepare and chair face-to-face and on-line formal meetings      The Chair should plan and announce meetings well in advance.  (See      section on Meeting Planning for procedures.)   Communicate results of meetings      The Chair and/or Secretary must ensure that minutes of a meeting      are taken.Weinrib & Postel         Best Current Practice                 [Page 10]

RFC 2014             IRTF Research Group Guidelines         October 1996   Distribute the work      It is expected that all Research Group participants will actively      contribute to the work of the group. Research Group membership is      expected to be a long term commitment by a set of motivated      members of the research community.  Of course, at any given time      more of the work is likely to be done by a few participants with      particular interests, set of skills and ideas. It is the task of      the Chair to motivate enough experts to allow for a fair      distribution of the workload.   Document development      Research Groups produce documents and documents need authors.      However, authorship of papers related to the work of a Research      Group is one of the primary reasons that researchers become      members, so finding motivated authors should not be a problem.      It is up to the Research Group to decide the authorship of papers      resulting from Research Group activities.  In particular,      authorship by the entire group is not required.   Document publication      The Chair and/or Secretary will work with the RFC Editor to ensure      documents to be published as RFCs conform with RFC publication      requirements and to coordinate any editorial changes suggested by      the RFC Editor.5.4. Research Group Editor/Secretary   Taking minutes and editing jointly-authored Research Group documents   often is performed by a specifically-designated participant or set of   participants.6.  RESEARCH GROUP DOCUMENTS6.1. Meeting documents   All relevant documents for a meeting (including the final agenda)   should be published to the group mailing list and available at least   two weeks before a meeting starts.Weinrib & Postel         Best Current Practice                 [Page 11]

RFC 2014             IRTF Research Group Guidelines         October 1996   It is strongly suggested that the Research Group Chair make sure that   an anonymous FTP directory or Web site be available for the upcoming   meeting.  All relevant documents (including the final agenda and the   minutes of the last meeting) should be placed in this directory.   This has the advantage that all participants can retrieve all files   in this directory and thus make sure they have all relevant   documents. Also, it will be helpful to provide electronic mail-based   retrieval for those documents.6.2. Request For Comments (RFC)   The work of an IRTF Research Group usually results in publication of   research papers and other documents, as well as documents as part of   the Informational or Experimental Request For Comments (RFCs) series   [1].  This series is the archival publication record for the Internet   community.  A document can be written by an individual in a Research   Group, by a group as a whole with a designated Editor, or by others   not involved with the IRTF.  The designated author(s) need not   include the group Chair(s).   NOTE: The RFC series is a publication mechanism only and publication   does not determine the status of a document.  Status is determined   through separate, explicit status labels.  In other words, the reader   is reminded that all Internet Standards are published as RFCs, but   NOT all RFCs specify standards.   The RFC's authors are expected to work with the RFC Editor to meet   all formatting, review and other requirements that the Editor may   impose. Usually, in case of a submission intended as an Informational   or Experimental RFC minimal review is necessary, although publication   in the Experimental track generally requires IESG review.  However,   in all cases initial publication as an Internet Draft is preferred.   If the Research Group or the RFC Editor thinks that an extensive   review is appropriate, the IRTF Chair may be asked to conduct one.   This review may either be done by the IRTF Chair, the IRSG, or an   independent reviewer selected by the IRTF Chair.  Occasionally,   review by the IETF or IESG may be appropriate.Weinrib & Postel         Best Current Practice                 [Page 12]

RFC 2014             IRTF Research Group Guidelines         October 19967.  SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS   Security issues are not discussed in this memo.8.  REFERENCES   [1] Internet Architecture Board and Internet Engineering Steering       Group, "The Internet Standards Process -- Revision 2",RFC 1602,       IAB, IESG, March 1994.  Soon to be replaced by "The Internet       Standards Process -- Revision 3", Work in Progress.   [2] Huizer, E. and D. Crocker, "IETF Working Group Guidelines and       Procedures",RFC 1603, March 1994.9.  AUTHORS' ADDRESSES   Abel Weinrib   Intel Corporation, MS JF2-74   2111 NE 25th Ave.   Hillsboro, OR 97124   Phone:  503-264-8972   EMail:  weinrib@intel.com   Jon Postel   USC - ISI, Suite 1001   4676 Admiralty Way   Marina del Rey, CA  90292-6695   Phone: 310-822-1511   EMail: postel@isi.eduWeinrib & Postel         Best Current Practice                 [Page 13]