Normative references to stable non-standards track documents
are indeed allowed when those documents are of the nature of
algorithm descriptions, mathematical theorems, and the like -
they don't even have to be RFCs. See RFC 2026 section 3.1,
first paragraph. MD5 and HMAC are the archetypical
examples of this type.
Brian
RJ Atkinson wrote:
>
> At 15:04 30/08/00, Kurt D. Zeilenga wrote:
>
> >I post to ietf-discuss because two of the referenced
> >Informational RFCs, RFC 1321 (MD5) and RFC 2104 (HMAC),
> >are also normative references for numerous other
> >Standard Track protocols.
>
> Neither of those are protocols. Instead, they specify
> mathematical algorithms. As such, I do not believe
> they need to be standards-track to be referenced NOR
> are they in the set of things IETF would normally
> standardise.
>
> >If not, would it be appropriate to submit a request
> >to the IESG to consider reissuing the specifications
> >detailed by RFC 1321 and RFC 2104 on the Standard Track?
>
> IMHO, that is not needed and not particularly desirable.
>
> Ran
> [EMAIL PROTECTED]
