Newcomers

This page provides a summary of information and resources to help newcomers to the IETF get started at IETF 105 in Montreal.

In this section

Key Info

Welcome to the IETF in Montreal! There are a number of events designed to introduce and integrate IETF newcomers to the community. Dive in and have fun!

Newcomers' webinar before IETF 105

We offered two distinct, one-hour moderated webinars for how to prepare for the IETF 105 meeting week. While these sessions have now passed, you can view the recording on YouTube before you travel to IETF 105.

These sessions used Meetecho, the tool used for remote participation at IETF meetings. If you have not used Meetecho before, you are encouraged to review helpful information here before joining your first working group session.

IETF Guides

IETF Guides (formerly known as IETF Mentoring) is a program that helps bring experienced IETF participants with newcomers in order to aid their integration into the IETF community through advice, help, and collected wisdom. For more information on the program see the IETF Guide page or sign up here.

Newcomer events at IETF 105

Sunday

Newcomers' Overview

Time: 12:30 - 13:00
Location: Viger

This tutorial is an introduction to the IETF's history, purpose, and processes.

IETF Quick Connections

Time: 16:00 - 17:00
Location: Place du Canada

NOTE: Pre-registration is required and space is extremely limited. Quick Connections is a simple and effective way for you to be introduced to a variety of experienced IETF attendees — often working group (WG) chairs — who can help you get more involved in your areas of interest. You can register here.

Monday

Newcomers' Dinner

Time: 1930-2100
Location: Terrasse

Organized by Secretariat, please note that there is a $25 entrance fee as this is not an IETF funded event. You can register here.

Thursday

Newcomers' Feedback Session

Time: 08:00 - 09:00
Location: C2 (21st Floor)

We are always eager to get feedback on the effectiveness of our newcomer related activities. What do you wish you’d known before you arrived? Which programs or activities were especially helpful and which programs or activities need to be revised? A hot breakfast will be served to all attendees.

IETF 105 Meeting Agenda

The agenda is dynamic and changes throughout the week. The most current version is always online.

A marked up printed version is also on the bulletin board near IETF registration in the meeting venue.

Many people also view the agenda on their smartphone; IETF meeting agendas are available for iPhone and Android.

IETF badges

Many of the IETF attendees will have colored dots on their badges showing that they are part of one of the groups below. Explanations of the dots and an IETF intro can be found in the Tao of the IETF, A Novice's Guide to the Internet Engineering Task Force.

Dots (Who's Who!)

Resources for getting started

There are a variety of resources available to newcomers, including tutorials and web pages that describe the IETF processes and provide overviews of IETF technical work.

Finding documents online

Internet-Drafts and RFCs can be found online using the Datatracker. You can search on title, author or other criteria.

https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/

Other presentation materials, such as meeting slides that are presented in working sessions, can be found (usually but not always in advance of the session) here:

https://datatracker.ietf.org/meeting/105/materials.html

IETF 107 Virtual

The IETF 107 meeting is now virtual! Find out more about how to participate from wherever you are.

Visit the IETF 107 Virtual webpage