What is the Full Form of RFC?

The full form of RFC is Request for Comments. A Request for Comments (RFC) is a formal document issued by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) that provides specifications and organizational comments on Internet and computer networking subjects such as routing, addressing, and transport technologies. 

The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is a huge multinational community of researchers, vendors, operators, and network designers who are concerned with the operation and evolution of the Internet. 

How RFC Works?

An IETF RFC starts with an initial draft known as the Internet Draft (I-D). Typically, an individual or small group creates this draft. After then, the I-D is adopted by a working group, which reviews, enhances, and revises the document’s content. 

Working groups are comprised of volunteers from all over the world, and members include hardware makers, software developers, and network operators. Working groups are divided into technological areas and directed by area directors.

RFCs are largely created by the Internet Architecture Board (IAB), Internet Research Task Force (IRTF), and Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). Individuals or groups outside of the IAB, IRTF, or IETF can submit RFCs for evaluation, albeit such “individual submissions” are uncommon.

After an RFC has been reviewed and revised, it is subjected to a final review for errors, as well as style and editorial issues. When a suitable document is created, the RFC Production Center (RPC) assigns it a unique number and publishes it via the RFC Editor.

Although not every I-D becomes an RFC, those that do are publicly available online. An RFC is never changed after it is published. If a problem is detected, the RFC Editor issues technical or editorial errata. Only later RFCs that supersede or elaborate on all or parts of previous RFCs can bring about change.

Also Read: What is the Full Form of ESOP? 

Different Types of RFCs

RFCs cover a wide range of topics relating to the internet’s technological foundations, including the protocols used to deliver services such as TCP, QUIC, and Web Real-Time Communications.

Some RFCs are only informative, while others are real standards. RFCs are assigned one of the following designations based on the topics they cover and their level of maturity:

• Internet Standard 
• Best Current Practice 
• Proposed Standard 
• Informational 
• Experimental 
• Historic

Also Read: What is the Full Form of LOA?

An RFC that is being developed as a standard goes through several iterations of review by the internet community. Based on this evaluation, the standard is amended as necessary before being adopted and published by the RFC Editor. 

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