(IETF) The IETF is a large, open internATional community of network designers, operATors, vendors and researchers whose purpose is to coordinATe the operATion, management and evolution of the Internet and to resolve short- and mid-range protocol and architectural issues. It is a major source of proposals for protocolstandards which are submitted to the {Internet Architecture Board} (IAB) for final approval. The IETF meets three times a year and extensive minutes are included in the IETF Proceedings. The IETF SecretariAT, run by The {CorporATion for NATional Research InitiATives} with funding from the US government, maintains an index of Internet-Drafts whereas RFCs are maintained by The Internet Architecture Board. Start . (1999-01-27)