RFC 2141 · PROPOSED STANDARD · 1997
SUN · 14 JUN 2026
URN Syntax
Overview
RFC 2141, “URN Syntax”, is a Proposed Standard document published in May 1997 by R. Moats. It has been obsoleted by RFC 8141 — refer to the newer document for the authoritative version. The canonical text is published by the RFC Editor.
Abstract
Uniform Resource Names (URNs) are intended to serve as persistent, location-independent, resource identifiers. This document sets forward the canonical syntax for URNs. [STANDARDS-TRACK]
What “Proposed Standard” means
An entry-level standards-track specification: stable, peer-reviewed and a solid basis for implementation, though it may still evolve before becoming an Internet Standard.
Read this RFC
The canonical text of RFC 2141 is hosted at rfc-editor.org. Available in TXT,HTML.
Relationships to other RFCs
Other RFCs from 1997
- RFC 2140 TCP Control Block Interdependence
- RFC 2142 Mailbox Names for Common Services, Roles and Functions
- RFC 2139 RADIUS Accounting
- RFC 2143 Encapsulating IP with the Small Computer System Interface
- RFC 2138 Remote Authentication Dial In User Service
- RFC 2144 The CAST-128 Encryption Algorithm
- RFC 2137 Secure Domain Name System Dynamic Update
- RFC 2145 Use and Interpretation of HTTP Version Numbers