RFC 3871 · INFORMATIONAL · 2004

Operational Security Requirements for Large Internet Service Provider IP Network Infrastructure

Overview

RFC 3871, “Operational Security Requirements for Large Internet Service Provider IP Network Infrastructure”, is an Informational document published in September 2004 by G. Jones. It has since been updated by RFC 8996. The canonical text is published by the RFC Editor.

Abstract

This document defines a list of operational security requirements for the infrastructure of large Internet Service Provider (ISP) IP networks (routers and switches). A framework is defined for specifying "profiles", which are collections of requirements applicable to certain network topology contexts (all, core-only, edge-only...). The goal is to provide network operators a clear, concise way of communicating their security requirements to vendors. This memo provides information for the Internet community.

Abstract as published in the RFC, via rfc-editor.org.

What “Informational” means

Published for the general information of the community. It does not define an IETF standard and carries no standards-track status.

Read this RFC

The canonical text of RFC 3871 is hosted at rfc-editor.org. Available in TXT,HTML.

Relationships to other RFCs
Updated by
RFC 8996
Other RFCs from 2004

Who Is Online

In total there are 60 users online: 0 registered, 53 guests and 7 bots.

Most users ever online was 5,555 on 17 Jul 2026, 3:23 am.

Bots: AhrefsBot Applebot Baiduspider Bingbot Other Bot PetalBot SemrushBot

Users active in the past 15 minutes. Total registered members: 372