Internet Drafts (or I-Ds) is a series of working documents published by the IETF. Typically, they are drafts for RFCs, but may be other works in progress not intended for publication as RFCs. It is considered inappropriate to rely on Internet Drafts for reference purposes. I-D citations should indicate the I-D is a "work in progress".
Internet Drafts are expected to adhere to the basic requirements imposed on RFCs. The IDnits Tool can be used to check for common document problems prior to submission to the IETF.
Internet Drafts are only valid for six months, unless it is replaced by an updated version (in which case the clock will start all over again for the new version, and the old version will be removed from the I-D repository), or unless it is under official review by the IESG (i.e., a request to publish it as an RFC has been submitted).
Numerous web sites offer mirrors of the IETF I-D repository. These mirrors often include features not found at the IETF's public I-D repository, such as hyperlinks for references and access to expired Internet Drafts.
Internet Drafts produced by the IETF working groups follow the naming convention: draft-ietf-
The IAB, RFC Editor, and other organizations associated with the IETF may also produce Internet Drafts. They follow the naming convention: draft-
Famous quotes containing the word draft:
“Why not draft executive and management brains to prepare and produce the equipment the $21-a-month draftee must use and forget this dollar-a-year tommyrot? Would we send an army into the field under a dollar-a-year General who had to be home Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays?”
—Lyndon Baines Johnson (1908–1973)