Keith (and anyone interested in this thread that doesn't have me on ignore), I think as has already been suggested we are having two different discussions masquerade as one. I obviously can't speak for Robert but it seems to me he is not saying the IESG ought to approve every (or any) extension of IP, he is merely saying each should have an option number assigned. Why assign a dangerous, harmful protocol an option? For the same reason sex offenders in the US have to register - so everyone can be aware of their presence and take the appropriate precautions. I would think if the extension's deemed good then we'd want to avoid conflicts and if it's bad then we'd want it to wear the scarlet letter - both of which would be accomplished with the assignment. Then decisions can be made as to it's worth (or lack thereof) and it's assignment can be treated accordingly. Keith, you said: "It's naive to have this idea that says "anybody ought to be able to extend IP however they want, and we'll let the market sort things out."" The thing is, anyone can extend IP however they want, all we're advocating here is the ability to track their changes. Best regards, Nick Staff -----Original Message----- From: ietf-bounces@xxxxxxxx [mailto:ietf-bounces@xxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Keith Moore Sent: Monday, July 04, 2005 3:50 AM To: Robert Elz Cc: Margaret Wasserman; ietf@xxxxxxxx; grenville armitage Subject: Re: RFC 2434 term "IESG approval" (Re: IANA Action: Assignment of an IPV6 Hop-by-hop Option) > The problem is that the IETF, and the IESG in particular, sees a > protocol, sees it is planned to be used with internet related > protocols, and so perhaps on some part of the internet, and decides > "that's ours, we must be the ones to decide whether that is any good > or not, now how do we force that to happen?" > > That's intolerable. No, that's their job. Or at least, close to their job. IP is IETF's protocol. IETF is where the vast majority of expertise in IP resides. An IP extension developed entirely outside of IETF has a very high probability of causing problems for the Internet. It's naive to have this idea that says "anybody ought to be able to extend IP however they want, and we'll let the market sort things out." It doesn't work, any more than the market works to prevent the spread of a virulent disease. Keith _______________________________________________ Ietf@xxxxxxxx https://www1.ietf.org/mailman/listinfo/ietf _______________________________________________ Ietf@xxxxxxxx https://www1.ietf.org/mailman/listinfo/ietf