3GPP-IETF Standardization Collaboration
How the mobile-standards group 3GPP and the IETF agreed to share drafts, talk to each other and avoid duplicating work.
Rosenbrock, K., Sanmugam, R., Bradner, S., and J. Klensin, "3GPP-IETF Standardization Collaboration", RFC 3113, DOI 10.17487/RFC3113, June 2001, <https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc3113>.
@misc{rfc3113,
series = {Request for Comments},
number = 3113,
howpublished = {RFC 3113},
publisher = {RFC Editor},
doi = {10.17487/RFC3113},
url = {https://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc3113},
author = {K. Rosenbrock and R. Sanmugam and S. Bradner and J. Klensin},
title = {{3GPP-IETF Standardization Collaboration}},
pagetotal = 7,
year = 2001,
month = jun,
} RFC text
Contents
Network Working Group K. Rosenbrock
Request for Comments: 3113 3GPP PCG Chair
Category: Informational R. Sanmugam
Ericsson
S. Bradner
Harvard University
J. Klensin
AT&T
June 2001
3GPP-IETF Standardization Collaboration
Status of this Memo
This memo provides information for the Internet community. It does
not specify an Internet standard of any kind. Distribution of this
memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2001). All Rights Reserved.
Abstract
This document describes the standardization collaboration between
3GPP and IETF.
1. Conventions used in this document
This document uses significant terminology that is specialized to
IETF, 3GPP, or their areas of work. See Appendix A for definitions
of acronyms. The organizational definitions can be found in their
respective web-sites.
2. Introduction
This document contains a set of principles and guidelines that serves
as the basis for establishing the collaboration between 3GPP and
IETF, with the objective of securing timely development of technical
specification that facilitate maximum interoperability with existing
(fixed and mobile) Internet systems, devices, and protocols.
Each organization will operate according to their own rules and
procedures including rules governing IPR policy, specification
elaboration, approval and maintenance.
3. Reasons For Collaboration
3.1 3GPP use of IETF Internet Standards
In the further development of 3GPP specifications, the benefit of
adopting Internet specifications has been identified.
The preferred 3GPP approach is to use the Internet standards
unchanged, if feasible. In any case, 3GPP has no intention to
duplicate work performed in IETF.
However, while this document recognizes the importance of 3GPP
interoperability with the existing Internet and hence the use of IETF
standards, 3GPP recognizes that additions or modifications might be
needed in order to make the IETF internet specification fulfill the
needs of 3GPP. In such cases, 3GPP will take its concerns directly
to the appropriate IETF working groups for resolution, or to an
appropriate Area Director if no appropriate working group can be
found.
3.2 IETF access to 3GPP Wireless expertise
The technical work in 3GPP is organized in Technical Specification
Groups TSGs each with their area of responsibilities. TSG-RAN and
TSG-GERAN are responsible for the Radio Access networks based on
UTRAN and GERAN and thus the experts in the areas of the
characteristics of the physical transport. TSG CN is responsible for
the Mobility Management and other core network protocol and
functionalities. TSG-T is responsible for Terminal aspects and
applications. TSG-SA is responsible for the service and system
aspects including the overall architecture, security and O&M aspects.
Contacts for the TSGs can be found on the 3GPP web-site
http://www.3gpp.org/.
4. Document Sharing
Both 3GPP and IETF encourage the sharing of draft documents that are
of mutual interest.
3GPP documents are available on its official web-site
(http://www.3gpp.org/) and is open to anyone. IETF documents,
including preliminary working documents ("Internet Drafts") are
available on its web-site (http://www.ietf.org/) and various shadow
sites.
IETF representatives can obtain information about the 3GPP document
and web-site structures by contacting the relevant 3GPP contact
points indicated at the 3GPP web-site http://www.3gpp.org/.
3GPP representatives can obtain information about the IETF document
and web-site structures by contacting the relevant IETF contact
points (the Area Directors indicated at the IETF web-site
http://www.ietf.org/).
5. Communication
Whenever possible, informal communication at working level is
encouraged.
The vast majority of the technical discussions and decision making in
both IETF and 3GPP is done over mailing lists. Both 3GPP and IETF
web sites contain information concerning the associated mailing
lists.
It is recommended that interested individuals subscribe to and
participate in these lists.
When deemed necessary, formal communication between 3GPP and IETF is
also permitted. Relevant IETF Area Directors and 3GPP technical
leadership are encouraged and authorized to facilitate such
communications when needed.
6. Rapporteurs/coordinators
6.1 IETF coordination support in 3GPP
An IETF rapporteur function is established in 3GPP TSG-SA.
The individual(s) appointed to undertake the responsibility of this
function should be the initial contact point in 3GPP for matters
pertaining to the 3GPP-IETF cooperation. Of course, the chairman of
TSG-SA can always be contacted.
The 3GPP-IETF rapporteur function, therefore, is expected to work
with the concerned working groups and TSGs and support the
interaction between 3GPP and IETF.
6.2 3GPP Liaison in IETF
The preferred way for organizations to work with IETF is through the
working groups. However, IETF has a limited number of liaison
relationships with other organizations when conditions warrant the
appointment of a specific person.
The appointment, by the IAB, of a specific person to function as a
"3GPP liaison" is proposed.
The role of the 3GPP Liaison is to act as an initial contact point in
IETF for administrative aspects of this collaboration that cannot
easily be handled in other ways (e.g., at a technical level by
interactions with IETF Working Groups or Area Directors). It is
agreed that the role does not carry the expectation of attendance at
3GPP meetings or participation in 3GPP administrative processes and
anticipated that all liaison efforts assigned to this individual will
be carried out by electronic mail. It is understood that the liaison
will not have the ability to make exceptions to, or special
provisions for, IETF policies and procedures.
9. Participation
In order to assist the information flow between the organizations,
the IETF can on per case basis appoint a rapporteur to participate
and represent IETF at 3GPP technical meetings.
IETF meetings are open to any interested individuals.
3GPP partners (OPs, MRPs) or individual members can participate in
any of the IETF meetings, in accordance with the existing IETF
procedures.
8. Security Considerations
This type of non-protocol document does not directly affect the
security of the Internet.
9. Authors' Addresses
Questions about this memo can be directed to:
Karl Heinz Rosenbrock
ETSI
06921 Sophia Antipolis
CEDEX
France
Phone: +33 492 94 4212
EMail: rosenbrock@etsi.fr
Raj Sanmugam
Director, Systems and Technology
Ericsson Canada Inc.
8400 Decarie Blvd
TMR, Quebec
H4P 2N2
Phone: +1 514 345 7862
Email: Raj.Sanmugam@ericsson.ca
Scott Bradner
Harvard University
Cambridge, MA 02138
USA
Phone: +1 617 495 3864
EMail: sob@harvard.edu
John C. Klensin
AT&T Labs
99 Bedford St
Boston, MA 02111
USA
Phone: +1 617 513 7285
EMail: Klensin+iab@jck.com
Note: Changes to the contents of this memo requires the approval from
3GPP PCG: EMail: 3GPPContact@etsi.fr
Appendix A: Acronyms
Glossary Of Acronyms:
3GPP Third Generation Partnership Project
BCP Best Current Practice
IAB Internet Architecture Board
IESG Internet Engineering Steering Group
IETF Internet Engineering Task Force
IPR Intellectual Property rights
MRP Market Representation Partner
OP Organizational Partner
O&M Operation and Maintenance
PCG Project coordination Group
RFC Request for Comments
TSG Technical Specification Group
TSG-SA TSG Services and systems aspects
TSG-CN TSG Core Network
TSG-RAN TSG Radio Access Network
TSG-GERAN TSG GSM Radio Access Network
TSG-T TSG Terminals
UTRAN Universal Terrestrial Radio Access Network
WWW World Wide Web
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AI ELI5
On this page
§2Purpose of the Collaboration
RFC 3113 sets out principles and guidelines for collaboration between the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) and the IETF. The goal is timely development of technical specifications that allow maximum interoperability with existing fixed and mobile Internet systems, devices and protocols.
Each organization keeps operating under its own rules and procedures, including those for intellectual property rights, specification development, approval and maintenance.
Both clubs keep their own rules, but they agree on a goal: things they build should work together.
§3Why the Two Groups Work Together
3GPP has seen the benefit of adopting Internet specifications. Its preferred approach is to use Internet standards unchanged if feasible, and it has no intention of duplicating IETF work. If additions or changes are needed, 3GPP takes its concerns directly to the appropriate IETF working group, or to an Area Director if no working group fits.
The IETF gains access to 3GPP wireless expertise. The RFC lists 3GPP's Technical Specification Groups and their areas: TSG-RAN and TSG-GERAN for radio access networks, TSG CN for mobility management and core network protocols, TSG-T for terminals and applications, and TSG-SA for services and system aspects including architecture, security and operations and maintenance.
One club knows a lot about phones and radios. The other knows the Internet. Each borrows the other's knowledge instead of reinventing it.
§4Sharing Documents and Talking
Both organizations encourage sharing draft documents of mutual interest. 3GPP documents are on its public web site, and IETF documents, including Internet Drafts, are on the IETF site and shadow sites. Each side can learn how the other's document structures work by contacting the named contact points: 3GPP contact points for IETF people, and the IETF Area Directors for 3GPP people.
Informal communication at working level is encouraged whenever possible. Most technical discussion and decision making in both groups happens on mailing lists, and interested individuals are encouraged to subscribe and take part. Formal communication is also allowed when needed, and the relevant IETF Area Directors and 3GPP technical leadership are encouraged and authorized to facilitate it.
They swap their notebooks and mostly chat by email. If something needs a formal letter, the leaders can send one.
§6Contact People and Participation
3GPP establishes an IETF rapporteur function in TSG-SA, which is the initial 3GPP contact point for the collaboration. On the IETF side, the preferred way to work is through working groups, but the RFC proposes that the IAB appoint a specific 3GPP liaison as an initial contact for administrative matters that cannot be handled otherwise. This liaison is not expected to attend 3GPP meetings, works by email and cannot make exceptions to IETF policies and procedures.
The IETF may, case by case, appoint a rapporteur to represent it at 3GPP technical meetings. IETF meetings are open to any interested individuals, and 3GPP partners or individual members may take part under existing IETF procedures. The RFC notes it is a non-protocol document and does not directly affect Internet security.
Each club names a go-to person, so anyone with a question knows who to ask.