The Internet Architecture Board

The Internet Architecture Board (IAB) is the committee responsible for supervising the technical and engineering development of the Internet. The IAB committee is appointed by the Internet Society (ISOC), Which is an international Organization whose mission is to encourage Internet usage. IAB supervises a number of Task Forces, which are temporary organizations formed to work on a single defined task or activity. The two most important Task Forces are Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the Internet Research Task Force (IRTF). The IETF works on developing and promoting Internet protocols, which include protocols like TCP/IP and other Internet protocols. These organizations do not require any formal membership and are open to all who want to join it voluntarily. The IRTF does research work in areas of Internet protocols, applications, architecture and technology. Originally IAB was founded by the United States Department of Defense’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency that is responsible for the development of now technology for use by the US military. In 1979, it was named Internet Configuration Control Board. Its name was changed to Internet Advisory Board in September 1984 and to Internet Activities Board in May 1986. In January 1992, it became Internet Architecture Board under ISOC. The main responsibilities of IAB include:

• Overseeing the architecture of the Internet protocols and the procedures used by the Internet
• Overseeing the processes that are used to create Internet standards
• Protecting the interests of IETF in liaison relationships with other organizations that are concerned with the Internet standards
• Working as an advisory body to ISOC
• Selecting Chairperson for IETF and IRTF