Internet Anonymous FTP Archives (iafa)

Charter 
 
Chair(s):
     Peter Deutsch  <>
     Alan Emtage  <bajan@cc.mcgill.ca>
 
Mailing lists: 
     General Discussion:iafa@cc.mcgill.ca
     To Subscribe:      iafa-request@cc.mcgill.ca
     Archive:           pub/iafa-archive@archive.cc.mcgill.ca

Description of Working Group:

The Internet Anonymous FTP Archives Working Group is chartered to
define a set of recommended standard procedures for the access and
administration of anonymous ftp archive sites on the Internet.  Such a
set of procedures will provide a framework for:

(a) allowing the inexperienced Internet user the ability to more
easily navigate the hundreds of publically accessible archive sites;
and,

(b) allowing users and network-based tools to retrieve specific site
information such as access policies, contact information, possible
areas of information specialization, archived package descriptions, etc.,
in a standardized manner.

Particular emphasis will be placed on the possible impact of these
procedures on the FTP site administrators.

Attention will be paid to the impact of newer archive indexing and
access tools on the operation of such archive sites. A set of
suggestions will be offered to allow archive site administrators to
better integrate their offerings with such tools as they are
developed.

The security of the anonymous FTP site configuration will also be
considered to be an integral part of this document. It is expected
that remote management of the archives will be adequately handled by
existing network management procedures.


Goals and Milestones: 
 
   Mar 91 Review first draft and determine necessary revisions. Follow up 
          discussion will occur on mailing list.                               

   Jun 91  Make document  an Internet Draft. Continue revisions based on 
          comments at IETF and on the mailing list.                            

   Nov 91 First IETF Meeting: review and approve the Charter making any changes
          deemed necessary. Examine the scope of the recommended procedures and
          impact on site administrators. Assign writing assignments for the 
          first draft of the documents.                                        

   Nov 92 Fourth IETF meeting. Review final drafts and if OK, give to IESG for 
          publication as an RFC.