Discussion lists

IETF discussion lists are for ongoing conversations, the scope of which range from very broad to focused on a particular Working Group.

General IETF discussion list

The IETF discussion list furthers the development and specification of Internet technology through the general discussion of technical, procedural, operational, and other topics for which no dedicated mailing lists exist. As this is the most general IETF mailing list, considerable latitude in terms of topics is allowed. It is the IETF list with posting on the broadest charter, and can be a place to start discussions on a particular topic. However, there are posts and topics that are unsuitable for this mailing list.

When it comes to technical topics, the IETF discussion list is meant for initial discussion only. Discussions that fall within the area of any working group list (or other well established list) should be moved to that more specific list as soon as this is pointed out, unless the issue is one for which the working group needs wider input or direction.

In addition to the topics noted above, appropriate postings include:

  • Initial discussion of technical issues that are candidates for IETF work, but appropriate mailing lists have not yet been identified.
  • Questions and clarifications concerning practical aspects of IETF meetings, although most of these topics are better brought up on the administrative discussion list or the attendee discussion list for a given IETF meeting.
  • Announcements of conferences, events, or activities that are sponsored or endorsed by the IETF, Internet Research Task Force (IRTF), Internet Architecture Board (IAB) or theInternet Society, although the IETF announcement list is the preferred list for these.
  • Discussions of IETF direction, policy, and the standards process in general, when a more suitable list (such as the discussion list for IETF LLC administrative issues, the IAB discussion list for architectural issues, a meeting attendees list, a process-oriented WG list, etc.) cannot be identified.

List archives are freely available and anyone may subscribe to the IETF discussion list. While posting to the list is generally open to any subscriber, the IETF Chair appoints Moderators that are empowered to restrict posting by a person, or to an email thread, when the content is inappropriate and represents a pattern of abuse. The full charter for the IETF discussion list is provided in BCP 45 (RFC 9245).

Working Group Discussion Lists

Each IETF working group maintains a general discussion mailing list where most of its work is conducted. Mail on the working group mailing lists is expected to be technically relevant to the working groups supported by those lists.

Information on how to subscribe to an IETF working group mailing list, as well as the location of the mailing list archives, can be found on the Web page for that working group. Access to the Web pages for all active IETF working groups is available on the Active IETF Working Groups web page.

Archives of IETF working group email lists are available at the IETF Mailing list archive.

Last Call Discussion List

The last-call list serves as a technical discussion forum for proposed protocol actions that are in IETF Last Call.

Architecture Discussion List

The architecture-discuss list serves as a technical discussion forum for all members of the IETF community that are interested in larger architectural issues. It is meant to be an open discussion forum for all long and/or wide range architectural concerns related to the Internet Architecture. In particular, it may be used to discuss and bring forth different points of view on controversial architectural questions. Discussions that drill down and dwell on specifics of individual protocols or technologies are to be discouraged, redirected to appropriate other fora, or re-cast to discussions of broader implications for Internet architecture.

This is an IAB-sponsored activity. IAB members participate as individuals and not representatives of the IAB. Community discussion of IAB activities and programs occurs on architecture-discuss, but messages for IAB business should still be directed to iab@iab.org.

Meeting Discussion Lists

Each IETF meeting has an attendee discussion list where attendees can connect with each other regarding issues related to the meeting.

Information on how to subscribe to the meeting attendee mailing list for the current meeting can be found on the Meeting Email Lists page. Attendees are also given the opportunity to subscribe to this mailing list when they register for the meeting.

Please note that messages to the Secretariat regarding meeting issues that require the involvement of the Secretariat should be sent to support@ietf.org for quick resolution.

Administrative Discussion List

This list is for the discussion of any general issue related to the IETF LLC and its work, unless there is a more specific or appropriate list that could be used instead, such as a meeting discussion list. It is used as the reply-to address for IETF LLC consultations with the IETF community.

Inappropriate Postings to the IETF Discussion List

The IETF Chair appoints Moderators for the IETF Discussion list that are empowered to restrict posting by a person, or to an email thread, when the content is inappropriate and represents a pattern of abuse. Moderation of the IETF discussion list, including the handling of any appeals, is guided by BCP 45 (RFC 9245). Inappropriate postings to the IETF discussion list include:

  • Advertising and other unsolicited bulk e-mail
  • Discussion of subjects unrelated to IETF policy, meetings, activities, or technical topics
  • Uncivil commentary, regardless of the general subject
  • Announcements of conferences, events, or activities that are not sponsored or endorsed by the IETF, IRTF, IAB, or the Internet Society

The current moderators for the IETF discussion list are:

The list moderators follow and use a set of procedures and templates and may be contacted directly via email.

NOTE: The IETF discussion list is performing spam control according to the guidelines given in the IESG guidelines on spam control. If you have problems posting to the list, then please contact the IETF Technical Support Team.

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