The notes discuss many aspects of computer communication, focusing on networking protocols, procedures, programs, and concepts but also including meeting notes, opinion, and sometimes humorous anecdotes. Thus, the RFC publication process plays in important role in the Internet standards process. The RFC Editor is the publisher of the RFCs and is responsible for the final editorial review of the documents. The Internet Society funds the RFC Editor function. The Research Groups work on topics related to Internet protocols, applications, architecture and technology.
Participation is by individual contributors.
In addition to managing the Research Groups, the IRSG may from time to time hold topical workshops focusing on research areas of importance to the evolution of the Internet, or more general workshops to, for example, discuss research priorities from an Internet perspective. The IESG is responsible for technical management of IETF activities and the Internet standards process. As part of the ISOC, it administers the process according to the rules and procedures which have been ratified by the ISOC Trustees. The IAB provides oversight of the architecture for the protocols and procedures used by the Internet. The IAB provides oversight of the process used to create Internet Standards.