IETF mission (RE: pausable explanation for the Document Series)

Keith Moore moore at cs.utk.edu
Thu Jun 5 14:25:29 CEST 2003


>  However, I also suggest that
> the protocol SHOULD (within engineering discretion) not intentionally
> restrict its applcability to the situations delineated in the
> applicability statement.

I disagree.  A protocol spec should be careful to claim applicability
only for that which it's been designed to do, and for which it's been
reviewed.  This doesn't preclude use of the protocol for other purposes,
but it should be clear that such use is not within the scope of the
standard.

And where it's know that use is inappropriate, this should be clearly
stated.  (not that this stops people - look how many sites are using
HTTP cookies for authentication)


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