RFC (Request for Comments)

A type of publication from the technical communities and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) that describes methods, behaviors, research, or innovations applicable to the working of the Internet and Internet-connected systems. RFCs can range from informational documents to standard track specifications, and they provide a consistent and open process for the evolution of Internet protocols and standards. Once an RFC is published, it is never revised. If the standard it describes changes, a new RFC is published to replace or supplement it.