Internet Architecture Board (IAB)

Definition - What does Internet Architecture Board (IAB) mean?

The Internet Architecture Board (IAB) is a board of researchers and professionals that manages the engineering and technical development related to the Internet. IAB offers assistance and insight on a wide range of Internet-related concerns. Professional entities, standards agencies and other organizations frequently use IAB as a reference for network expertise.

IAB manages several task forces, including the Internet Research Task Force (IRTF) and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). IAB was originally established as the Internet Configuration Control Board (ICCB) in 1979. Adopting several names afterwards, it finally became the IAB in 1992. Initially, the U.S. government and Federal Research Internet Configuration Committee (FRICC) supported IAB.

Techopedia explains Internet Architecture Board (IAB)

During the 1980s, Internet developments were implemented for the promotion of the Internet and Internet standards. IAB was established to manage oversight of the following responsibilities:

Manage and publish Request for Comments (RFC)
Oversee the Internet standard process
Oversee the IETF

Eventually, IAB responsibilities developed as follows:

Architectural Supervision: Responsible for overseeing different network and Internet Protocol (IP) architectural standards.
Appeals and Standards Process Supervision: The appeal board was established to review standard issues and related appeals.
Advice for Internet Societies: Provides guidance to ISOC officials.

Although IAB arranges groups for developing technical principles and ideas, it generally does not build comprehensive implementation plans. IAB's main objective is to help the IETF improve Internet standardization. The IAB is rarely associated with policy decisions and usually does not address the Internet's operational or commercial elements.