IETF | Birds of a Feather

<!doctype html><html lang="en" class="no-js"><head> <meta charset="utf-8"/><meta http-equiv="X-UA-Compatible" content="IE=edge"/><title>IETF | Birds of a Feather</title><meta name="description" content="Birds of a Feather sessions (BOFs) are initial discussions about a particular topic of interest to the IETF community. BOFs are usually held at IETF meetings, and requests to hold a BOF must be made significantly in advance of the meeting."/><meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1"/><meta name="twitter:card" content="summary"/><meta name="twitter:site" content="@ietf"/><meta name="twitter:title" content="Birds of a Feather"/><meta name="twitter:description" content="Birds of a Feather sessions (BOFs) are initial discussions about a particular topic of interest to the IETF community. BOFs are usually held at IETF meetings, and requests to hold a BOF must be made significantly in advance of the meeting."><meta name="twitter:image" content="/media/images/ietflogotrans.original.png"><meta property="fb:app_id" content="159756941186350"/><meta property="og:type" content="website"/><meta property="og:url" content="/process/bofs/"/><meta property="og:title" content="Birds of a Feather"/><meta property="og:image" content="/media/images/ietflogotrans.original.png"/><meta property="og:description" content="Birds of a Feather sessions (BOFs) are initial discussions about a particular topic of interest to the IETF community. BOFs are usually held at IETF meetings, and requests to hold a BOF must be made significantly in advance of the meeting."/><meta property="og:site_name" content="IETF"/> <link href="https://static.ietf.org/fonts/inter/import.css" rel="stylesheet"/> <script defer="defer" src="/static/dist/main.7d84808b4dfd.js"></script><link href="/static/dist/main.b24c4c15ad12.css" rel="stylesheet"></head><body class="template-standard-page"> <header class="header"> <a href="#content" class="visually-hidden visually-hidden-focusable">Skip to main content</a> <nav class="navbar navbar-expand-lg" aria-label="Main" > <div class="container position-relative"> <button class="navbar-toggler navbar-toggler-light" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#navbarSupportedContent" aria-controls="navbarSupportedContent" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Toggle navigation" > <span class="navbar-toggler-icon text-dark"></span> </button>  <button class="btn btn-link nav-link text-dark ms-3 me-auto d-lg-none" type="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#navbarSearch" aria-controls="navbarSearch" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Toggle search bar" > <i class="bi bi-search"></i> Search </button> <div class="navbar-brand header__logo-container"> <a class="text-light" href="/"> <img class="header__logo" src="https://static.ietf.org/logos/ietf.svg" alt="IETF logo" /> </a> </div> <div class="collapse navbar-collapse flex-wrap-reverse" id="navbarSupportedContent" > <ul class="navbar-nav col-12 col-xl-auto justify-content-xl-center flex-grow"> <li class="nav-item dropdown position-static"> <button class=" nav-link btn megamenu__toggle text-dark fw-semibold text-uppercase dropdown-toggle pe-1 " id="megamenu-toggle-1" role="button" data-bs-toggle="dropdown" data-bs-auto-close="outside" aria-expanded="false" > About </button> <div class="dropdown-menu megamenu__menu w-100 px-2" aria-labelledby="megamenu-toggle-" > <div class="container py-3"> <div class="row gx-5"> <div class="col-lg-4 d-none d-lg-block"> <div class=""> <p></p> <img src="/media/images/ietf-logo.width-600.jpg" class="w-100 object-fit-cover" /> </div> </div> <div class="col-lg-8"> <h5 class="border-bottom mb-1 pb-1"> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/about/"> About <i class="bi bi-chevron-right"></i> </a> </h5> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> </ul> <h6 class="mt-3 mb-1 pb-1 border-bottom">Introduction to the IETF</h6> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/about/introduction/"> Introduction to the IETF </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://www.ietf.org/about/introduction/#participants"> Participants </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://www.ietf.org/about/introduction/#mission"> Mission </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://www.ietf.org/about/introduction/#principles"> Principles </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://www.ietf.org/about/introduction/#work"> The work </a> </li> </ul> <h6 class="mt-3 mb-1 pb-1 border-bottom">Structure of the IETF</h6> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/about/groups/iesg/"> Internet Engineering Steering Group </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/about/groups/iab/"> Internet Architecture Board </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/about/groups/irtf/"> Internet Research Task Force </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/about/liaisons/"> Liaisons </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/about/groups/nomcom/"> Nominating Committee </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/about/groups/trust/"> IETF Trust </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/about/groups/rfc-editor/"> RFC Editor </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/about/groups/ise/"> Independent Submissions Editor </a> </li> </ul> <h6 class="mt-3 mb-1 pb-1 border-bottom">Legal requests</h6> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/administration/legal-request-procedures/"> Legal request procedures </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/administration/legal-requests/"> Legal requests </a> </li> </ul> <h6 class="mt-3 mb-1 pb-1 border-bottom">Administration</h6> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/administration/overview/"> IETF Administration LLC </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/administration/announcements/"> Administrative announcements </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/administration/reports/"> Administrative reports </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/administration/llc-board/"> IETF Administration LLC Board of Directors </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/administration/financial-statements/"> Financial statements </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/administration/rfps-and-contracts/"> RFPs and contracts </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/administration/policies-procedures/"> Administrative policies and procedures </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/transparency/"> IETF LLC transparency report </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item dropdown position-static"> <button class=" nav-link btn megamenu__toggle text-dark fw-semibold text-uppercase dropdown-toggle pe-1 " id="megamenu-toggle-2" role="button" data-bs-toggle="dropdown" data-bs-auto-close="outside" aria-expanded="false" > Technologies </button> <div class="dropdown-menu megamenu__menu w-100 px-2" aria-labelledby="megamenu-toggle-" > <div class="container py-3"> <div class="row gx-5"> <div class="col-lg-4 d-none d-lg-block"> <div class=""> <p>The IETF works on a broad range of networking technologies that provide the foundation for the Internet's growth and evolution.</p> <img src="/media/images/things.width-600.jpg" class="w-100 object-fit-cover" /> </div> </div> <div class="col-lg-8"> <h5 class="border-bottom mb-1 pb-1"> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/technologies/"> Technologies <i class="bi bi-chevron-right"></i> </a> </h5> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/technologies/netmgmt/"> Automated network management </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/technologies/iot/"> The Internet of Things </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/technologies/transport/"> New transport technology </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/technologies/security/"> Security & privacy </a> </li> </ul> <h6 class="mt-3 mb-1 pb-1 border-bottom">IETF technologies in action</h6> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/technologies/dns/"> Domain Name System </a> </li> </ul> <h6 class="mt-3 mb-1 pb-1 border-bottom">IETF technology groups</h6> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/technologies/areas/"> IETF Areas </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/technologies/keywords/"> Working Group keywords </a> </li> </ul> <h6 class="mt-3 mb-1 pb-1 border-bottom">Recent posts about IETF technologies</h6> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/blog/wimse-working-group/"> WIMSE Working Group: Serious business for cloud computing </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/blog/green-wg/"> The new GREEN working group gets ready for an energy efficient Internet </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/blog/wit-area/"> New IETF Area focuses on web and transport technologies </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/blog/edhoc/"> EDHOC - A new lightweight authenticated key exchange protocol provides improved security with less overhead for Internet-of-Things devices </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item dropdown position-static"> <button class=" nav-link btn megamenu__toggle text-dark fw-semibold text-uppercase dropdown-toggle pe-1 " id="megamenu-toggle-5" role="button" data-bs-toggle="dropdown" data-bs-auto-close="outside" aria-expanded="false" > Meetings </button> <div class="dropdown-menu megamenu__menu w-100 px-2" aria-labelledby="megamenu-toggle-" > <div class="container py-3"> <div class="row gx-5"> <div class="col-lg-4 d-none d-lg-block"> <div class=""> <p>While most IETF work takes place online, meetings and other events such as Hackathons provide in-person opportunities to advance work within the IETF.</p> <img src="/media/images/_MG_4832.width-600.jpg" class="w-100 object-fit-cover" /> </div> </div> <div class="col-lg-8"> <h5 class="border-bottom mb-1 pb-1"> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/meeting/"> Meetings <i class="bi bi-chevron-right"></i> </a> </h5> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/meeting/122/"> IETF 122 Bangkok </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/meeting/123/"> IETF 123 Madrid </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/meeting/124/"> IETF 124 Montreal </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/meeting/upcoming/"> Upcoming meetings </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/meeting/past/"> Past meetings </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/meeting/interim/"> Interim meetings </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/meeting/hackathons/"> IETF Hackathons </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/meeting/code-sprint/"> Code Sprint </a> </li> </ul> <h6 class="mt-3 mb-1 pb-1 border-bottom">Participation information</h6> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/meeting/preparation/"> Preparing for an IETF Meeting </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/meeting/guide-ietf-meetings/"> Guide to IETF Meetings </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/meeting/technology/"> Meeting network and technology </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/meeting/new-participants/"> New Participants </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/participate/guides/"> IETF Guides program </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/meeting/terms-and-conditions/"> IETF meeting terms and conditions </a> </li> </ul> <h6 class="mt-3 mb-1 pb-1 border-bottom">Organizing meetings</h6> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/meeting/planning/"> Meeting planning </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/support-us/sponsorship/"> Meeting sponsorship </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item dropdown position-static"> <button class=" nav-link btn megamenu__toggle text-dark fw-semibold text-uppercase dropdown-toggle pe-1 " id="megamenu-toggle-4" role="button" data-bs-toggle="dropdown" data-bs-auto-close="outside" aria-expanded="false" > Process </button> <div class="dropdown-menu megamenu__menu w-100 px-2" aria-labelledby="megamenu-toggle-" > <div class="container py-3"> <div class="row gx-5"> <div class="col-lg-4 d-none d-lg-block"> <div class=""> <p>The IETF is the premier Internet standards organization. It follows open and well-documented processes for setting these standards. Once published, those standards are made freely available.</p> </div> </div> <div class="col-lg-8"> <h5 class="border-bottom mb-1 pb-1"> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/process/"> Process <i class="bi bi-chevron-right"></i> </a> </h5> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/process/process/"> Internet standards process </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/process/wgs/"> Guide to IETF Working Groups </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/process/bofs/"> Birds of a Feather </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/process/iana/"> Protocol registries (IANA) </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/process/ipr/"> Intellectual property rights </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/process/directorates/"> Directorates and teams </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/process/informal/"> The IETF process: an informal guide </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/process/new-work/"> Bringing new work to the IETF </a> </li> </ul> <h6 class="mt-3 mb-1 pb-1 border-bottom">RFCs</h6> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/process/rfcs/"> About RFCs </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/about/groups/rfc-editor/"> RFC Editor </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://www.ietf.org/process/rfcs/#availability-and-use"> Availability and Use </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://www.ietf.org/process/rfcs/#formats"> Publication formats </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://www.ietf.org/process/rfcs/#statuses"> Statuses </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://www.ietf.org/process/rfcs/#streams"> Publication streams </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://www.ietf.org/process/rfcs/#errata"> Corrections and errata </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/process/rfcs/vulnerabilities/"> Reporting protocol vulnerabilities to the IETF </a> </li> </ul> <h6 class="mt-3 mb-1 pb-1 border-bottom">Standards process details</h6> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/process/process/informational-vs-experimental/"> Choosing between Informational and Experimental Status </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/process/process/role-iesg-standards-process/"> The role of the IESG in the Standards process </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://datatracker.ietf.org/group/iesg/appeals/"> Appeals to the IESG </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/process/process/iesg-ballots/"> IESG ballot procedures </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/process/informal/"> The IETF process: an informal guide </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item dropdown position-static"> <button class=" nav-link btn megamenu__toggle text-dark fw-semibold text-uppercase dropdown-toggle pe-1 " id="megamenu-toggle-3" role="button" data-bs-toggle="dropdown" data-bs-auto-close="outside" aria-expanded="false" > Participate </button> <div class="dropdown-menu megamenu__menu w-100 px-2" aria-labelledby="megamenu-toggle-" > <div class="container py-3"> <div class="row gx-5"> <div class="col-lg-4 d-none d-lg-block"> <div class=""> <p>The global IETF community works together in many different ways to produce high quality, relevant technical documents that influence the way people design, use, and manage the Internet.</p> </div> </div> <div class="col-lg-8"> <h5 class="border-bottom mb-1 pb-1"> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/participate/"> Participate <i class="bi bi-chevron-right"></i> </a> </h5> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/participate/get-started/"> Getting started in the IETF </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/participate/ids/"> Internet-Drafts </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/participate/ietf-systers/"> IETF Systers </a> </li> </ul> <h6 class="mt-3 mb-1 pb-1 border-bottom">Tools and services</h6> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/participate/lists/"> Mailing lists </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/participate/tools/"> Tools and Services </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/about/open-records/"> Open records </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://chairs.ietf.org"> Chairs Resources </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://authors.ietf.org"> I-D Authors Resources </a> </li> </ul> <h6 class="mt-3 mb-1 pb-1 border-bottom">Participation guides</h6> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/meeting/guide-ietf-meetings/"> Guide to IETF Meetings </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/process/wgs/"> Guide to IETF Working Groups </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/participate/roles/"> Roles in the IETF </a> </li> </ul> <h6 class="mt-3 mb-1 pb-1 border-bottom">Key policies</h6> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/about/note-well/"> Note Well - A reminder of IETF policies </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/statement-iesg-ietf-anti-harassment-policy-20131103/"> Anti-harassment policy </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/bcp9"> Internet Standards process (BCP 9) </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/bcp25"> Working Group processes (BCP 25) </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7154.html"> Guidelines for conduct (BCP 54) </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc5378.html"> Copyright (BCP 78) </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc8179.html"> Patents, Participation (BCP 79) </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/privacy-statement/"> IETF/IRTF/IAB Privacy Statement </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> <li class="nav-item dropdown position-static"> <button class=" nav-link btn megamenu__toggle text-dark fw-semibold text-uppercase dropdown-toggle pe-1 " id="megamenu-toggle-6" role="button" data-bs-toggle="dropdown" data-bs-auto-close="outside" aria-expanded="false" > Support us </button> <div class="dropdown-menu megamenu__menu w-100 px-2" aria-labelledby="megamenu-toggle-" > <div class="container py-3"> <div class="row gx-5"> <div class="col-lg-4 d-none d-lg-block"> <div class=""> <p>By supporting the IETF today, you are ensuring a free and open Internet exists tomorrow.</p> <img src="/media/images/IMG_15.width-600.jpg" class="w-100 object-fit-cover" /> </div> </div> <div class="col-lg-8"> <h5 class="border-bottom mb-1 pb-1"> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/support-us/"> Support us <i class="bi bi-chevron-right"></i> </a> </h5> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/support-us/why-support/"> Why we need your support </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/support-us/donors/"> IETF financial supporters </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/support-us/donate-ietf/"> Donate to the IETF </a> </li> </ul> <h6 class="mt-3 mb-1 pb-1 border-bottom">Ways to give</h6> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/support-us/endowment/"> IETF Endowment </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/support-us/sponsorship/"> Meeting sponsorship </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/support-us/donate/"> Other ways to give </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/support-us/technical-foundations/"> Technical foundations for business </a> </li> </ul> <h6 class="mt-3 mb-1 pb-1 border-bottom">Supporting values</h6> <ul class="megamenu__linklist"> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/runningcode/"> Running Code </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/sustainability/"> Sustainability </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/diversity/"> Diversity and Inclusion </a> </li> <li> <a class="dropdown-item" href="/open-internet/"> Open Internet </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </div> </div> </li> </ul> <ul class="navbar-nav col-xl-auto"> <li class=" nav-item " > <a class=" nav-link btn text-dark " href="/blog/" >News & blog</a> </li> <li class="nav-item d-none d-lg-inline-block"> <a href="/search" class="btn text-dark nav-link" role="button" data-bs-toggle="collapse" data-bs-target="#navbarSearch" aria-controls="navbarSearch" aria-expanded="false" aria-label="Toggle search bar" > <i class="bi bi-search"></i> Search </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </nav> <div class="collapse" id="navbarSearch"> <div class="container"> <div class="row justify-content-center"> <form class="input-group mt-3 mb-3 col-md-8 col-lg-6" action="/search/" method="get" name="search" > <input id="search" type="search" class="form-control" placeholder="Search" aria-label="Search" name="query" required /> <button type="submit" class="btn btn-primary" aria-label="Submit website search">Go</button> </form> </div> </div> </div> </header> <main id="content"> <div class="bg-white pb-1"> <div class="container"> <nav aria-label="breadcrumbs"> <ol class="breadcrumb bg-transparent pt-3 mb-3 "> <li class="breadcrumb-item"><a class="text-dark" aria-label="Home" href="/"><i class="bi bi-house-door-fill"></i></a></li> <li class="breadcrumb-item "><a class="text-dark" href="/process/">Process</a></li> </ol> </nav> <h1>Birds of a Feather</h1> <p class="lead u-max-text-width">Birds of a Feather sessions (BOFs) are initial discussions about a particular topic of interest to the IETF community. BOFs are usually held at IETF meetings, and requests to hold a BOF must be made significantly in advance of the meeting.</p> <ul class="social"></ul> </div> </div> <div class="bg-white"> <div class="container"> <div class="row g-0 align-items-start justify-content-between"> <div class="col-12 col-lg-8 col-xl-9 pe-lg-3"> <div class="mb-3 pt-3 pt-lg-3 border-top"> <div class=""> <div id="key-info" class="u-max-text-width"> <div class="block-paragraph"><p data-block-key="zcofd">Any interested party may submit a BOF proposal for consideration by the Internet Engineering Steering Group (<a href="/about/groups/iesg/">IESG</a>). Proposals are due by the <a href="https://datatracker.ietf.org/meeting/important-dates/">BOF submission deadline</a> determined for each meeting, and will be approved or declined for scheduling prior to the publication of the IETF meeting agenda. See the BOF submission procedures below for more information.</p><p data-block-key="rej7u">Though some BOFs lead to forming a <a href="/process/wgs/">working group</a>, BoFs may be used to gather a sense of the IETF community about a topic without intending to form a working group.</p><p data-block-key="ue0sy">BOFs are not a required step in forming working groups. If an Area Director believes that a proposal for a new working group is compelling, well thought out, and well organized, the Area Director can initiate the process of chartering a working group without approving a BOF.</p><p data-block-key="gphr">BOF meetings have a very different tone than do WG meetings. The purpose of a BOF is to make sure that a good charter with good milestones can be created, that there are enough people willing to do the work needed in order to create standards, and that any standards would get adoption. Often a self-selected group of key people will get together after the BOF to refine the draft charter.</p><p data-block-key="4m5qs">Generally, only two BOF meetings are allowed for the same topic. Sometimes it is obvious after one meeting that a WG should be created, and sometimes it is obvious a WG would not be successful.</p></div> <div class="block-raw_html"><a name="#submissions> <div class=" rich-text"=""> <h2 id="introducing-internet-drafts">Submitting a BOF proposal</h2> </a></div> <div class="block-paragraph"><p data-block-key="clwy0">To propose a BOF session for an upcoming IETF meeting, it is best to contact an Area Director (AD) in the relevant <a href="https://datatracker.ietf.org/area/">Area</a> in advance of the BoF proposal submission deadline date for the meeting, or simply send email about a potential BOF proposal to the full IESG at <a href="mailto:iesg@ietf.org">iesg@ietf.org</a>.</p><p data-block-key="b13u2">Proposals for BOFs must be submitted in the <a href="https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/bof-requests">Datatracker</a> prior to the BoF submission deadline. Logging in to the BOF request page requires <a href="https://datatracker.ietf.org/accounts/create/">IETF Datatracker</a> credentials. The request form contains a list of information that must be included with each proposal.</p><h2 data-block-key="aryj3">Further Information</h2><p data-block-key="1bole"><a href="https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc2418.html#section-2.4">RFC 2418 Section 2.4</a> provides guidance and details about proposing a Birds of a Feather session, particularly in the context of "IETF Working Group Guidelines and Procedures".</p><p data-block-key="61cm6"><a href="https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/rfc5434/">RFC 5434</a>, as its title suggests, provides "Considerations for Having a Successful Birds-of-a-Feather (BOF) Session".</p><p data-block-key="3v1ds"><a href="https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/rfc6771/">RFC 6771</a>聽provides guidelines on how to have a side meeting to work on a possible proposal for new work in the IETF.</p></div> </div> </div> </div> <div class="row g-0 align-items-stretch"> <div class="col-12 col-xl bg-primary"> <div class="p-5 text-white d-flex flex-column justify-content-center align-items-start h-100"> <h2 class="h4">Request a Birds of a Feather session for the next IETF Meeting</h2> <a href="https://datatracker.ietf.org/doc/bof-requests" class="btn btn-light mt-3">Request a BoF in the Datatracker</a> </div> </div> <div class="col-12 col-xl bg-secondary"> <div class="bg-secondary p-5 text-white d-flex flex-column justify-content-center h-100"> <h2 class="h6 text-uppercase mb-3">you might be interested in</h2> <p class="mb-0"> <a class="text-white" href="/meeting/122/"> Learn more about the IETF 122 Meeting<i class="bi bi-chevron-right ps-2"></i> </a> </p> </div> </div> </div> </div> <nav aria-label="In this section" class="bg-body border col-12 col-lg-4 col-xl-3 p-3 p-lg-5 mb-4"> <h2 class="h5 mb-3"><a class="text-dark" href="/process/">Process</a></h2> <div class="block-paragraph"> <ul class="list-unstyled"> <li class="mb-1"><a class="text-dark" href="/process/process/">Internet standards process</a></li> <li class="mb-1"><a class="text-dark" href="/process/wgs/">Guide to IETF Working Groups</a></li> <li class="mb-1"> <a href="/process/bofs/" aria-current="page">Birds of a Feather</a> </li> <li class="mb-1"><a class="text-dark" href="/process/iana/">Protocol registries (IANA)</a></li> <li class="mb-1"><a class="text-dark" href="/process/ipr/">Intellectual property rights</a></li> <li class="mb-1"><a class="text-dark" href="/process/directorates/">Directorates and teams</a></li> <li class="mb-1"><a class="text-dark" href="/process/informal/">The IETF process: an informal guide</a></li> <li class="mb-1"><a class="text-dark" href="/process/new-work/">Bringing new work to the IETF</a></li> </ul> </div> </nav> </div> </div> </div> </main> <footer class="bg-dark text-light py-1"> <div class="container my-5"> <div class="row"> <section class="col-lg"> <div class="border-bottom u-border-lg-bottom-0 border-light border-opacity-50"> <h4 class="my-0 py-4 fs-6" role="button" aria-expanded="false"> About <i class="bi bi-chevron-down"></i> </h4> <ul class="list-unstyled opacity-75 d-grid gap-2"> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/about/introduction/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Introduction to the IETF </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/about/groups/iesg/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Internet Engineering Steering Group </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/administration/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Administration </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/policies/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Privacy and policies </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/contact/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Contact us </a> </li> </ul> </div> </section> <section class="col-lg"> <div class="border-bottom u-border-lg-bottom-0 border-light border-opacity-50"> <h4 class="my-0 py-4 fs-6" role="button" aria-expanded="false"> Technologies <i class="bi bi-chevron-down"></i> </h4> <ul class="list-unstyled opacity-75 d-grid gap-2"> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/technologies/netmgmt/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Automated network management </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/technologies/iot/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > The Internet of Things </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/technologies/transport/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > New transport technology </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/technologies/security/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Security & privacy </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/technologies/areas/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > IETF Areas </a> </li> </ul> </div> </section> <section class="col-lg"> <div class="border-bottom u-border-lg-bottom-0 border-light border-opacity-50"> <h4 class="my-0 py-4 fs-6" role="button" aria-expanded="false"> Meetings <i class="bi bi-chevron-down"></i> </h4> <ul class="list-unstyled opacity-75 d-grid gap-2"> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/meeting/upcoming/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Upcoming meetings </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/meeting/past/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Past meetings </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/meeting/hackathons/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > IETF Hackathons </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/meeting/preparation/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Preparing for an IETF Meeting </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/meeting/guide-ietf-meetings/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Guide to IETF Meetings </a> </li> </ul> </div> </section> <section class="col-lg"> <div class="border-bottom u-border-lg-bottom-0 border-light border-opacity-50"> <h4 class="my-0 py-4 fs-6" role="button" aria-expanded="false"> Participate <i class="bi bi-chevron-down"></i> </h4> <ul class="list-unstyled opacity-75 d-grid gap-2"> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/participate/get-started/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Getting started in the IETF </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/meeting/guide-ietf-meetings/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Guide to IETF Meetings </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/process/wgs/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Guide to IETF Working Groups </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/participate/lists/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Mailing lists </a> </li> </ul> </div> </section> <section class="col-lg"> <div class="border-bottom u-border-lg-bottom-0 border-light border-opacity-50"> <h4 class="my-0 py-4 fs-6" role="button" aria-expanded="false"> Process <i class="bi bi-chevron-down"></i> </h4> <ul class="list-unstyled opacity-75 d-grid gap-2"> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/process/process/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Internet standards process </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/process/rfcs/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > About RFCs </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/process/new-work/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Bringing new work to the IETF </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/process/process/role-iesg-standards-process/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > The role of the IESG in the Standards process </a> </li> </ul> </div> </section> <section class="col-lg"> <div class="border-bottom u-border-lg-bottom-0 border-light border-opacity-50"> <h4 class="my-0 py-4 fs-6" role="button" aria-expanded="false"> Support us <i class="bi bi-chevron-down"></i> </h4> <ul class="list-unstyled opacity-75 d-grid gap-2"> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/support-us/why-support/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Why we need your support </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/support-us/sponsorship/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Meeting sponsorship </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/support-us/donate/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > Other ways to give </a> </li> <li class="nav-item"> <a href="/support-us/donors/" class="link-underline-opacity-0 link-light fw-semibold lh-base" > IETF financial supporters </a> </li> </ul> </div> </section> </div> </div> <div class="container my-5"> <div class="d-lg-flex justify-content-between align-items-start lh-1"> <div class="d-flex fs-4 my-5 my-lg-0 ms-n2 my-5 me-3"> <a class="d-block text-light px-2" href="https://www.linkedin.com/company/internet-engineering-task-force/" rel="me" title="LinkedIn"> <i class="bi bi-linkedin"></i> </a> <a class="d-block text-light px-2" href="https://www.twitter.com/ietf" rel="me" title="Twitter"> <i class="bi bi-twitter"></i> </a> <a class="d-block text-light px-2" href="https://www.youtube.com/ietf" rel="me" title="YouTube"> <i class="bi bi-youtube"></i> </a> <a class="d-block text-light px-2" href="https://mastodon.online/@ietf" rel="me" title="Mastodon"> <i class="bi bi-mastodon"></i> </a> <a class="d-block text-light px-2" href="https://github.com/ietf/" rel="me" title="GitHub"> <i class="bi bi-github"></i> </a> </div> <ul class=" row gx-0 column-gap-5 row-gap-3 justify-content-lg-end my-5 my-lg-0 nav opacity-75 "> <li class="nav-item col-auto py-0"> <a href="/administration/overview/" class="nav-link text-light fs-10 p-0"> IETF LLC </a> </li> <li class="nav-item col-auto py-0"> <a href="https://www.rfc-editor.org" class="nav-link text-light fs-10 p-0"> RFC Editor </a> </li> <li class="nav-item col-auto py-0"> <a href="https://www.iana.org" class="nav-link text-light fs-10 p-0"> IANA </a> </li> <li class="nav-item col-auto py-0"> <a href="https://www.iab.org" class="nav-link text-light fs-10 p-0"> IAB </a> </li> <li class="nav-item col-auto py-0"> <a href="https://www.irtf.org" class="nav-link text-light fs-10 p-0"> IRTF </a> </li> <li class="nav-item col-auto py-0"> <a href="https://trustee.ietf.org" class="nav-link text-light fs-10 p-0"> IETF Trust </a> </li> </ul> </div> </div> </footer> <script> [... document.querySelectorAll("footer section")].forEach((section) => { const heading = section.querySelector("h4"); heading.addEventListener("click", () => { const expanded = section.classList.toggle("expanded"); heading.setAttribute("aria-expanded", expanded); }); }); </script> <script>window.staticRoot = "/static/dist/";</script> <script type="text/javascript"> var _paq = window._paq || []; _paq.push(['disableCookies']); _paq.push(['trackPageView']); _paq.push(['enableLinkTracking']); (function() { var u="//analytics.ietf.org/"; _paq.push(['setTrackerUrl', u+'matomo.php']); _paq.push(['setSiteId', 1]); var d=document, g=d.createElement('script'), s=d.getElementsByTagName('script')[0]; g.type='text/javascript'; g.async=true; g.defer=true; g.src=u+'matomo.js'; s.parentNode.insertBefore(g,s); })(); </script> <noscript><p><img src="//analytics.ietf.org/piwik.php?idsite=1" style="border:0;" alt="" /></p></noscript> <script>(function(){function c(){var b=a.contentDocument||a.contentWindow.document;if(b){var d=b.createElement('script');d.innerHTML="window.__CF$cv$params={r:'913549ca9fddfd00',t:'MTczOTc5MDE3OS4wMDAwMDA='};var a=document.createElement('script');a.nonce='';a.src='/cdn-cgi/challenge-platform/scripts/jsd/main.js';document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(a);";b.getElementsByTagName('head')[0].appendChild(d)}}if(document.body){var a=document.createElement('iframe');a.height=1;a.width=1;a.style.position='absolute';a.style.top=0;a.style.left=0;a.style.border='none';a.style.visibility='hidden';document.body.appendChild(a);if('loading'!==document.readyState)c();else if(window.addEventListener)document.addEventListener('DOMContentLoaded',c);else{var e=document.onreadystatechange||function(){};document.onreadystatechange=function(b){e(b);'loading'!==document.readyState&&(document.onreadystatechange=e,c())}}}})();</script></body></html>

CINXE.COM

IETF | Birds of a Feather