What Is An RFC?

Date First Published: 5th April 2022

Topic: Computer Networking

Subtopic: Network Standards

Article Type: Computer Terms & Definitions

Difficulty Level: 5/10

Learn more about what an RFC is in this article.

Short for Request For Comments, a RFC is an official document from the IETF (Internet Engineering Task Force) which forms the basis of a technical standard, such as a communication protocol. Every RFC has a unique number that identifies how the technical standard was defined. For example, the original specification of FTP that was defined by Abhay Bhushan, a computer scientist was defined as RFC 114 on 16th April 1971. If another version of a technical standard is created, it must be given a new number. For example, FTP was replaced by RFC 765 in June 1980 and finally RFC 2428 in September 1998.

The authors of RFCs are computer scientists and groups of engineers who create reports that describe the methods, behaviours, and research that can apply to the working of the internet as well as the internet-connected systems. The RFCs are submitted for review and are used to suggest new concepts or information, or on an occasional basis, for engineering humour.

Note:

An RFC becomes a formal standards document once it is approved and they are being issued on a continuous basis as the technologies used on the internet evolve.

History

RFC was invented by Steve Crocker in 1969 to help record unofficial notes on the development of ARPANET. In accordance with Steve Crocker, the official documents "shape the inner workings of the internet and have played a significant role in its success". Although it was written by Steve Crocker, RFC came from an early working group discussion between Steve Crocker, Steve Carr, and Jeff Rulinson.