Background ========== The IETF stores parameters for protocols it defines in registries. These registries are maintained by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), and are the subject of the "IANA Considerations" section in many RFCs. For a number of years, the IANA function has been provided by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN). The IETF's relationship with IANA was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding codified in 2000 with the publication of RFC 2860; over time processes and role definitions have evolved, and have been documented in supplemental agreements. ICANN has historically had a contract with the US Department of Commerce (DoC), undertaken through the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). In March of 2014, NTIA announced its intention to complete the evolution begun in 1997, meaning that NTIA would not need to renew its contract with ICANN when that contract expires 30 September 2015. NTIA requested a transition proposal be prepared to outline the necessary arrangements. In the case of the IETF, we expect these arrangements to consist largely of the existing well-documented practices. Tasks ===== The WG’s output is expected to be an IETF consensus document which describes the expected interaction between the IETF and the protocol parameters registries operator. Given that we have a system today that works well for the IETF, minimal change in the oversight of the protocol parameters registries is preferred in all cases and no change is preferred when possible. With a view to addressing implications of moving the NTIA out of its current role with respect to IANA on the IETF protocol parameter registry function, the WG will focus on documenting and ensuring the continuation of the current arrangements. The working group will assume the following documents continue to be in effect: - RFC 2850 - RFC 3777 and its updates - RFC 2860 - RFC 6220 - IETF-ICANN-MOU_2000 (http://iaoc.ietf.org/documents/IETF-ICANN-MOU_2000.pdf) - ICANN-IETF Supplemental Agreements (updated yearly since 2007, the 2014 version is available at http://iaoc.ietf.org/documents/2014-ICANN-IETF-MoU-Supplemental-Agreement-Executed.pdf) This working group is chartered solely with respect to the planning needed for the transition. Possible improvements outside that scope will be set aside for future consideration. Avoiding alterations in substantive outcomes should be the goal, even if eventual mechanisms required to address the removal of the overarching NTIA contract may require additional documentation or agreements. Should proposals made to the NTIA by other communities regarding the transition of other IANA functions affect the protocol parameter registries or the IETF, the WG will also review and comment on them. The output document of the WG need not be the complete transition proposal regarding the oversight of the protocol parameters registries to be handed to the NTIA. Specifically, if that transition proposal requires documentation of some detailed terms of agreements or other details of procedures that are normally delegated to and handled by the IAB or IAOC, the IAB or IAOC can provide those details as part of the submission; the WG does not need to come to consensus on those parts of the submission. The WG shall seek the expertise of the IAB IANA Strategy Program to formulate its output. It is expected that members of the IAB IANA Strategy Program will actively participate in the WG. Milestones ========== January 2015 -- complete protocol parameters registries proposal May 2015 -- review of other transition proposals, if needed Sept 2015 -- close