Re: icann now has a contract & we are in it

[Harald Tveit Alvestrand <harald@alvestrand.no>]

--On 20. mars 2003 11:45 -0500 Scott Bradner <sob@harvard.edu> wrote:

> http://www.ntia.doc.gov/ntiahome/domainname/iana/2003/ianaorder_03142003.
> htm
the critical pieces (I think):

C.2.1.1.1 Coordinate the assignment of technical protocol parameters - - 
This function involves the review and assignment of unique values to 
various parameters (e.g., operation codes, port numbers, object 
identifiers, protocol numbers) used in various Internet protocols. This 
function also includes the dissemination of the listings of assigned 
parameters through various means (including on-line publication) and the 
review of technical documents for consistency with assigned values.

E. Work Plan for Specific Tasks.

1. Coordination of the Assignment of Technical Protocol Parameters.

One core part of the IANA functions has traditionally been, and continues 
to be, the assignment of technical parameter values (for example, operation 
codes, port numbers, object identifiers, protocol numbers, and enterprise 
numbers) to various entities or applications that must be uniquely 
identified for stable operation of the Internet. The ICANN team has 
extensive experience in performing this function.

One essential feature of ICANN=s approach to performing this aspect of the 
IANA functions is keeping close and constructive working ties with the 
Internet standards-development organizations that formulate the standards 
under which protocol parameters are assigned. To date, most Internet 
standards have been developed by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) 
and, to a lesser extent, the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C). In part, 
ICANN=s ability to maintain close contacts with the appropriate 
standards-development organizations is reflected in their agreement to 
serve on ICANN’s Technical Liaison Group. In addition to the IETF and W3C, 
the members of the PSO are the European Telecommunications Standards 
Institute (ETSI) and the International Telecommunications Union, 
Telecommunications Standards Sector (ITU-T).

Nearly all the standards for which the IANA currently makes 
protocol-parameter assignments have been established by the IETF. 
Assignments under these standards should be made in a manner that is 
suitable to the IETF. To achieve that goal ICANN and IETF entered a 
Memorandum of Understanding Concerning the Technical Work of the IANA on 10 
March 2000.  Under that MoU, IANA assignments of protocol parameters (i.e. 
assignments not relating to domain names and Numbering Resources) for the 
IETF-created standards are made as directed by the criteria and procedures 
specified in Requests for Comments (RFCs), including Proposed, Draft and 
full Internet Standards and Best Current Practice documents, and any other 
RFC that calls for IANA assignments. In several cases, the relevant RFCs 
give unclear or incomplete guidance; ICANN and IETF have been engaged in a 
joint project over the past three years to develop and document clarified 
or additional criteria for these situations. In the meantime, 
protocol-parameter assignments continue to be assigned by the IANA 
following past and current practice for such assignments, unless otherwise 
directed by the Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG).

One important aspect of ICANN’s approach to performing the IANA functions 
is to be closely involved with the IETF=s formulation and publication of 
standards (including thorough Alast call@ review of standards documents), 
so that the assignment criteria are appropriately specified by the standard 
and so that the assignment process can be conducted in a way that makes the 
standard most effective in achieving its goals. Another important aspect of 
ICANN’s approach is the use of expert advisers from the IETF to provide the 
IANA guidance when assignment questions not addressed by the expressed 
language of the standard arise.

A major effort that ICANN has pursued in the protocol-parameter area (in 
consultation with the IETF) involves clarifying and simplifying the 
assignment process for those seeking assignments. This has involved 
improved dissemination of information concerning requirements for 
assignments (in many cases this requires that the requirements be clarified 
in consultation with the IETF) and introduction of on-line forms and other 
tools to guide applicants through the process. Although additional 
improvements in this respect are ongoing, the process for many types of 
assignments has already been made significantly more convenient.


In addition to assigning parameter values, the IANA functions also include 
the important task of making those parameter values publicly available. 
This is currently done primarily
through the well-known iana.org web site by giving web- and ftp-based 
access to the relevant parameter tables. ICANN holds the registration for 
the iana.com, iana.net, and iana.org domain names and operates the server 
at the IANA website. In addition, ICANN has been investigating (in 
consultation with the IETF community) additional means of disseminating 
lists of assigned parameter values, including mechanisms that facilitate 
periodic automated updates.