# Standards Analysis for Web4 Internet Standard Development

## RFC Structure Analysis

### RFC 791 (Internet Protocol) - Structure and Format

**Document Header:**
- RFC Number: 791
- Title: Internet Protocol
- Organization: DARPA Internet Program
- Subtitle: Protocol Specification
- Date: September 1981
- Author: Information Sciences Institute, University of Southern California

**Standard RFC Sections:**
1. **PREFACE** (page iii)
2. **INTRODUCTION** (page 1)
   - 1.1 Motivation
   - 1.2 Scope
   - 1.3 Interfaces
   - 1.4 Operation
3. **OVERVIEW** (page 5)
   - 2.1 Relation to Other Protocols
   - 2.2 Model of Operation
   - 2.3 Function Description
   - 2.4 Gateways
4. **SPECIFICATION** (page 11)
   - 3.1 Internet Header Format
   - 3.2 Discussion
   - 3.3 Interfaces
5. **APPENDIX A: Examples & Scenarios**
6. **APPENDIX B: Data Transmission Order**
7. **GLOSSARY**

**Key Structural Elements:**
- Clear hierarchical numbering (1, 1.1, 1.2, etc.)
- Page numbers in table of contents
- Formal specification section with detailed technical content
- Examples and scenarios in appendices
- Glossary for terminology
- References to other RFCs and standards

**Writing Style:**
- Formal, technical language
- Clear scope definition
- Motivation section explaining why the protocol is needed
- Detailed operation description
- Specific interface definitions

**Technical Specification Format:**
- Detailed protocol descriptions
- Message format specifications
- State machine descriptions
- Error handling procedures
- Security considerations (implied)

## Common RFC Patterns Identified

### Required Sections for Internet Standards:
1. **Abstract** - Brief summary of the document
2. **Status of This Memo** - Standards track status
3. **Copyright Notice** - IETF copyright
4. **Table of Contents** - Hierarchical structure
5. **Introduction** - Motivation, scope, terminology
6. **Specification** - Technical details
7. **Security Considerations** - Security analysis
8. **IANA Considerations** - Registry requirements
9. **References** - Normative and informative references

### Terminology Conventions:
- MUST, MUST NOT, REQUIRED, SHALL, SHALL NOT
- SHOULD, SHOULD NOT, RECOMMENDED, MAY, OPTIONAL
- Following RFC 2119 key words

### Next Steps:
- Analyze HTTP RFCs for web protocol patterns
- Study identity/trust RFCs for authentication patterns
- Research distributed system RFCs for consensus patterns
- Document common structural elements across all analyzed RFCs



### RFC 2616 (HTTP/1.1) - Comprehensive Web Protocol Structure

**Document Header:**
- RFC Number: 2616
- Title: Hypertext Transfer Protocol -- HTTP/1.1
- Category: Standards Track
- Date: June 1999
- Authors: R. Fielding, J. Gettys, J. Mogul, H. Frystyk, L. Masinter, P. Leach, T. Berners-Lee
- Organizations: UC Irvine, Compaq/W3C, W3C/MIT, Xerox, Microsoft

**Standard RFC Sections:**
1. **Introduction** (page 7)
   - 1.1 Purpose
   - 1.2 Requirements
   - 1.3 Terminology
   - 1.4 Overall Operation

2. **Notational Conventions and Generic Grammar** (page 14)
   - 2.1 Augmented BNF
   - 2.2 Basic Rules

3. **Protocol Parameters** (page 17)
   - 3.1 HTTP Version
   - 3.2 Uniform Resource Identifiers
   - 3.3 Date/Time Formats
   - 3.4 Character Sets
   - 3.5 Content Codings
   - 3.6 Transfer Codings
   - 3.7 Media Types
   - 3.8 Product Tokens
   - 3.9 Quality Values
   - 3.10 Language Tags
   - 3.11 Entity Tags
   - 3.12 Range Units

4. **HTTP Message** (page 31)
   - 4.1 Message Types
   - 4.2 Message Headers
   - 4.3 Message Body
   - 4.4 Message Length
   - 4.5 General Header Fields

5. **Request** (page 35)
   - 5.1 Request-Line
   - 5.2 The Resource Identified by a Request
   - 5.3 Request Header Fields

6. **Response** (page 39)
   - 6.1 Status-Line
   - 6.2 Response Header Fields

7. **Entity** (page 42)
   - 7.1 Entity Header Fields
   - 7.2 Entity Body

8. **Connections** (page 44)
   - 8.1 Persistent Connections
   - 8.2 Message Transmission Requirements

9. **Method Definitions** (page 51)
   - 9.1 Safe and Idempotent Methods
   - 9.2 OPTIONS
   - 9.3 GET
   - 9.4 HEAD
   - 9.5 POST
   - 9.6 PUT
   - 9.7 DELETE
   - 9.8 TRACE
   - 9.9 CONNECT

10. **Status Code Definitions** (page 57)
    - 10.1 Informational 1xx
    - 10.2 Successful 2xx
    - 10.3 Redirection 3xx
    - 10.4 Client Error 4xx
    - 10.5 Server Error 5xx

11. **Access Authentication** (page 71)

12. **Content Negotiation** (page 71)
    - 12.1 Server-driven Negotiation
    - 12.2 Agent-driven Negotiation
    - 12.3 Transparent Negotiation

13. **Caching in HTTP** (page 74)
    - 13.1 Cache Correctness
    - 13.2 Expiration Model
    - 13.3 Validation Model
    - 13.4 Response Cacheability
    - 13.5 Constructing Responses From Caches
    - 13.6 Caching Negotiated Responses
    - 13.7 Shared and Non-Shared Caches
    - 13.8 Errors or Incomplete Response Cache Behavior
    - 13.9 Side Effects of GET and HEAD
    - 13.10 Invalidation After Updates or Deletions
    - 13.11 Write-Through Mandatory
    - 13.12 Cache Replacement
    - 13.13 History Lists

14. **Header Field Definitions** (page 100)
    - 14.1 Accept through 14.47 WWW-Authenticate
    - Comprehensive definitions for all HTTP headers

15. **Security Considerations** (page 150)
    - 15.1 Personal Information
    - 15.2 Abuse of Server Log Information
    - 15.3 Transfer of Sensitive Information
    - 15.4 Encoding Sensitive Information in URI's
    - 15.5 Privacy Issues Connected to Accept Headers
    - 15.6 Attacks Based On File and Path Names
    - 15.7 DNS Spoofing

16. **Acknowledgments** (page 156)

17. **References** (page 158)

18. **Authors' Addresses** (page 162)

19. **Appendices** (page 164)
    - 19.1 Internet Media Type message/http and application/http
    - 19.2 Internet Media Type multipart/byteranges
    - 19.3 Tolerant Applications
    - 19.4 Differences Between HTTP Entities and RFC 2045 Entities

**Key Structural Patterns for Web Protocols:**

1. **Formal Grammar Specifications**
   - Extensive use of Augmented BNF (ABNF)
   - Detailed syntax definitions for all protocol elements
   - Clear parsing rules and error handling

2. **Comprehensive Method/Operation Definitions**
   - Each HTTP method fully specified
   - Safety and idempotency properties defined
   - Clear semantics for each operation

3. **Status Code Taxonomy**
   - Hierarchical status code organization (1xx, 2xx, 3xx, 4xx, 5xx)
   - Clear meaning and usage for each code
   - Extensibility considerations

4. **Header Field Registry**
   - Complete specification of all standard headers
   - Syntax, semantics, and usage rules
   - Extension mechanisms

5. **Security Considerations Section**
   - Mandatory comprehensive security analysis
   - Privacy implications
   - Attack vectors and mitigations
   - Implementation security guidelines

6. **Caching and Performance**
   - Detailed caching semantics
   - Performance optimization guidelines
   - Proxy and gateway considerations

**Web4 Relevance:**
- HTTP's extensible header system could serve as model for Web4 metadata
- Status code patterns applicable to Web4 operation results
- Caching mechanisms relevant for Web4 trust and reputation data
- Security considerations framework essential for Web4 trust protocols
- Method definition patterns applicable to Web4 operations (binding, pairing, witnessing)

## Updated Common RFC Patterns

### Enhanced Required Sections for Internet Standards:
1. **Abstract** - Brief summary (required)
2. **Status of This Memo** - Standards track status (required)
3. **Copyright Notice** - IETF copyright (required)
4. **Table of Contents** - Hierarchical structure with page numbers (required)
5. **Introduction** - Motivation, scope, terminology (required)
6. **Notational Conventions** - ABNF grammar, key words (recommended for protocols)
7. **Protocol Specification** - Core technical content (required)
8. **Security Considerations** - Comprehensive security analysis (required)
9. **IANA Considerations** - Registry requirements (required if applicable)
10. **References** - Normative and informative (required)
11. **Authors' Addresses** - Contact information (required)
12. **Appendices** - Examples, additional technical details (optional)

### Protocol-Specific Patterns:
- **Method/Operation Definitions** - For action-oriented protocols
- **Status/Error Code Definitions** - For response-oriented protocols
- **Header/Field Definitions** - For metadata-rich protocols
- **State Machine Specifications** - For stateful protocols
- **Extension Mechanisms** - For evolving protocols

### Web Protocol Specific Elements:
- **Caching Semantics** - For performance-critical protocols
- **Content Negotiation** - For multi-format protocols
- **Authentication/Authorization** - For access-controlled protocols
- **Proxy/Gateway Considerations** - For intermediary-aware protocols


### RFC 6455 (WebSocket Protocol) - Real-Time Communication Protocol Structure

**Document Header:**
- RFC Number: 6455
- Title: The WebSocket Protocol
- Category: Standards Track
- Date: December 2011
- Authors: I. Fette (Google, Inc.), A. Melnikov (Isode Ltd.)

**Standard RFC Sections:**
1. **Introduction** (page 4)
   - 1.1 Background
   - 1.2 Protocol Overview
   - 1.3 Opening Handshake
   - 1.4 Closing Handshake
   - 1.5 Design Philosophy
   - 1.6 Security Model
   - 1.7 Relationship to TCP and HTTP
   - 1.8 Establishing a Connection
   - 1.9 Subprotocols Using the WebSocket Protocol

2. **Conformance Requirements** (page 12)
   - 2.1 Terminology and Other Conventions

3. **WebSocket URIs** (page 14)

4. **Opening Handshake** (page 14)
   - 4.1 Client Requirements
   - 4.2 Server-Side Requirements
     - 4.2.1 Reading the Client's Opening Handshake
     - 4.2.2 Sending the Server's Opening Handshake
   - 4.3 Collected ABNF for New Header Fields Used in Handshake
   - 4.4 Supporting Multiple Versions of WebSocket Protocol

5. **Data Framing** (page 27)
   - 5.1 Overview
   - 5.2 Base Framing Protocol
   - 5.3 Client-to-Server Masking
   - 5.4 Fragmentation
   - 5.5 Control Frames
     - 5.5.1 Close
     - 5.5.2 Ping
     - 5.5.3 Pong
   - 5.6 Data Frames
   - 5.7 Examples
   - 5.8 Extensibility

6. **Sending and Receiving Data** (page 39)
   - 6.1 Sending Data
   - 6.2 Receiving Data

7. **Closing the Connection** (page 41)
   - 7.1 Definitions
     - 7.1.1 Close the WebSocket Connection
     - 7.1.2 Start the WebSocket Closing Handshake
     - 7.1.3 The WebSocket Closing Handshake is Started
     - 7.1.4 The WebSocket Connection is Closed
     - 7.1.5 The WebSocket Connection Close Code
     - 7.1.6 The WebSocket Connection Close Reason
     - 7.1.7 Fail the WebSocket Connection
   - 7.2 Abnormal Closures
     - 7.2.1 Client-Initiated Closure
     - 7.2.2 Server-Initiated Closure
     - 7.2.3 Recovering from Abnormal Closure
   - 7.3 Normal Closure of Connections
   - 7.4 Status Codes
     - 7.4.1 Defined Status Codes
     - 7.4.2 Reserved Status Code Ranges

8. **Error Handling** (page 48)
   - 8.1 Handling Errors in UTF-8-Encoded Data

9. **Extensions** (page 48)
   - 9.1 Negotiating Extensions
   - 9.2 Known Extensions

10. **Security Considerations** (page 50)
    - 10.1 Non-Browser Clients
    - 10.2 Origin Considerations
    - 10.3 Attacks On Infrastructure (Masking)
    - 10.4 Implementation-Specific Limits
    - 10.5 WebSocket Client Authentication
    - 10.6 Connection Confidentiality and Integrity
    - 10.7 Handling of Invalid Data
    - 10.8 Use of SHA-1 by the WebSocket Handshake

11. **IANA Considerations** (page 54)
    - 11.1 Registration of New URI Schemes
      - 11.1.1 Registration of "ws" Scheme
      - 11.1.2 Registration of "wss" Scheme
    - 11.2 Registration of the "WebSocket" HTTP Upgrade Keyword
    - 11.3 Registration of New HTTP Header Fields
      - 11.3.1 Sec-WebSocket-Key
      - 11.3.2 Sec-WebSocket-Extensions
      - 11.3.3 Sec-WebSocket-Accept
      - 11.3.4 Sec-WebSocket-Protocol
      - 11.3.5 Sec-WebSocket-Version
    - 11.4 WebSocket Extension Name Registry
    - 11.5 WebSocket Subprotocol Name Registry
    - 11.6 WebSocket Version Number Registry
    - 11.7 WebSocket Close Code Number Registry
    - 11.8 WebSocket Opcode Registry
    - 11.9 WebSocket Framing Header Bits Registry

12. **Using the WebSocket Protocol from Other Specifications** (page 66)

13. **Acknowledgments** (page 67)

14. **References** (page 68)
    - 14.1 Normative References
    - 14.2 Informative References

**Key Structural Patterns for Real-Time Protocols:**

1. **Handshake Protocol Specification**
   - Detailed client and server handshake requirements
   - HTTP upgrade mechanism integration
   - Security key exchange and validation
   - Version negotiation procedures

2. **Binary Frame Format Definition**
   - Precise bit-level frame structure specification
   - Masking requirements for security
   - Fragmentation support for large messages
   - Control frame vs. data frame distinction

3. **Connection Lifecycle Management**
   - Opening handshake procedures
   - Data transmission protocols
   - Graceful closing handshake
   - Abnormal closure handling

4. **Extension and Subprotocol Framework**
   - Negotiation mechanisms
   - Registry-based extension management
   - Backward compatibility considerations
   - Future extensibility design

5. **Comprehensive IANA Registry Requirements**
   - URI scheme registrations (ws://, wss://)
   - HTTP header field registrations
   - Extension name registry
   - Subprotocol name registry
   - Version number registry
   - Status code registry
   - Opcode registry
   - Frame header bits registry

6. **Security-First Design**
   - Origin-based access control
   - Masking to prevent cache poisoning
   - TLS integration for secure connections
   - Authentication considerations
   - Infrastructure attack mitigation

**Web4 Relevance:**
- Handshake patterns applicable to Web4 pairing protocol
- Frame format design relevant for Web4 message structures
- Extension/subprotocol framework applicable to Web4 protocol variants
- Registry patterns essential for Web4 IANA considerations
- Security considerations framework critical for Web4 trust protocols
- Connection lifecycle management relevant for Web4 entity relationships

## Real-Time Protocol Patterns Identified

### Essential Components for Real-Time Protocols:
1. **Handshake/Negotiation Phase**
   - Protocol version negotiation
   - Capability exchange
   - Security parameter establishment
   - Subprotocol/extension selection

2. **Binary Message Format**
   - Efficient frame structure
   - Type identification (control vs. data)
   - Length encoding
   - Security features (masking, encryption)

3. **Connection State Management**
   - Opening procedures
   - Active data transfer
   - Graceful closure
   - Error recovery

4. **Extensibility Framework**
   - Extension negotiation
   - Registry-based management
   - Backward compatibility
   - Future evolution support

5. **Security Integration**
   - Authentication mechanisms
   - Encryption support
   - Attack mitigation
   - Access control

### Registry Requirements for Real-Time Protocols:
- Protocol version numbers
- Extension identifiers
- Subprotocol names
- Status/error codes
- Message type opcodes
- Header field definitions
- URI scheme registrations


### RFC 5280 (X.509 PKI) - Identity and Trust Infrastructure Standard

**Document Header:**
- RFC Number: 5280
- Title: Internet X.509 Public Key Infrastructure Certificate and Certificate Revocation List (CRL) Profile
- Category: Standards Track
- Date: May 2008
- Authors: D. Cooper (NIST), S. Santesson (Microsoft), S. Farrell (Trinity College Dublin), S. Boeyen (Entrust), R. Housley (Vigil Security), W. Polk (NIST)
- Obsoletes: RFC 3280, RFC 4325, RFC 4630

**Standard RFC Sections:**
1. **Introduction** (page 4)

2. **Requirements and Assumptions** (page 6)
   - 2.1 Communication and Topology
   - 2.2 Acceptability Criteria
   - 2.3 User Expectations
   - 2.4 Administrator Expectations

3. **Overview of Approach** (page 8)
   - 3.1 X.509 Version 3 Certificate
   - 3.2 Certification Paths and Trust
   - 3.3 Revocation
   - 3.4 Operational Protocols
   - 3.5 Management Protocols

4. **Certificate and Certificate Extensions Profile** (page 16)
   - 4.1 Basic Certificate Fields
     - 4.1.1 Certificate Fields
       - 4.1.1.1 tbsCertificate
       - 4.1.1.2 signatureAlgorithm
       - 4.1.1.3 signatureValue
     - 4.1.2 TBSCertificate
       - 4.1.2.1 Version
       - 4.1.2.2 Serial Number
       - 4.1.2.3 Signature
       - 4.1.2.4 Issuer
       - 4.1.2.5 Validity (UTCTime, GeneralizedTime)
       - 4.1.2.6 Subject
       - 4.1.2.7 Subject Public Key Info
       - 4.1.2.8 Unique Identifiers
       - 4.1.2.9 Extensions
   - 4.2 Certificate Extensions
     - 4.2.1 Standard Extensions
       - 4.2.1.1 Authority Key Identifier
       - 4.2.1.2 Subject Key Identifier
       - 4.2.1.3 Key Usage
       - 4.2.1.4 Certificate Policies
       - 4.2.1.5 Policy Mappings
       - 4.2.1.6 Subject Alternative Name
       - 4.2.1.7 Issuer Alternative Name
       - 4.2.1.8 Subject Directory Attributes
       - 4.2.1.9 Basic Constraints
       - 4.2.1.10 Name Constraints
       - 4.2.1.11 Policy Constraints
       - 4.2.1.12 Extended Key Usage
       - 4.2.1.13 CRL Distribution Points
       - 4.2.1.14 Inhibit anyPolicy
       - 4.2.1.15 Freshest CRL (Delta CRL Distribution Point)
     - 4.2.2 Private Internet Extensions
       - 4.2.2.1 Authority Information Access
       - 4.2.2.2 Subject Information Access

5. **CRL and CRL Extensions Profile** (page 54)
   - 5.1 CRL Fields
     - 5.1.1 CertificateList Fields
     - 5.1.2 Certificate List "To Be Signed"
   - 5.2 CRL Extensions
     - 5.2.1 Authority Key Identifier
     - 5.2.2 Issuer Alternative Name
     - 5.2.3 CRL Number
     - 5.2.4 Delta CRL Indicator
     - 5.2.5 Issuing Distribution Point
     - 5.2.6 Freshest CRL (Delta CRL Distribution Point)
     - 5.2.7 Authority Information Access
   - 5.3 CRL Entry Extensions
     - 5.3.1 Reason Code
     - 5.3.2 Invalidity Date
     - 5.3.3 Certificate Issuer

6. **Certification Path Validation** (page 71)
   - 6.1 Basic Path Validation
     - 6.1.1 Inputs
     - 6.1.2 Initialization
     - 6.1.3 Basic Certificate Processing
     - 6.1.4 Preparation for Certificate i+1
     - 6.1.5 Wrap-Up Procedure
     - 6.1.6 Outputs
   - 6.2 Using the Path Validation Algorithm
   - 6.3 CRL Validation
     - 6.3.1 Revocation Inputs
     - 6.3.2 Initialization and Revocation State Variables
     - 6.3.3 CRL Processing

7. **Processing Rules for Internationalized Names** (page 95)
   - 7.1 Internationalized Names in Distinguished Names
   - 7.2 Internationalized Resource Identifiers
   - 7.3 Internationalized Domain Names in Distinguished Names
   - 7.4 Internationalized Domain Names in GeneralName
   - 7.5 Internationalized Electronic Mail Addresses

8. **Security Considerations** (page 100)

9. **IANA Considerations** (page 105)

10. **Acknowledgments** (page 105)

11. **References** (page 105)
    - 11.1 Normative References
    - 11.2 Informative References

**Appendix A: Pseudo-ASN.1 Structures and OIDs** (page 110)
- A.1 Explicitly Tagged Module, 1988 Syntax
- A.2 Implicitly Tagged Module, 1988 Syntax

**Appendix B: ASN.1 Notes** (page 133)

**Appendix C: Examples** (page 136)
- C.1 RSA Self-Signed Certificate
- C.2 End Entity Certificate Using RSA
- C.3 End Entity Certificate Using DSA
- C.4 Certificate Revocation List

**Key Structural Patterns for Identity and Trust Standards:**

1. **Hierarchical Trust Model**
   - Root Certificate Authorities (CAs)
   - Intermediate CAs
   - End entity certificates
   - Trust anchor management
   - Certification path validation algorithms

2. **Comprehensive Certificate Profile**
   - Mandatory and optional fields specification
   - Extension framework for additional attributes
   - Version management and backward compatibility
   - Encoding rules (ASN.1 DER)

3. **Revocation Infrastructure**
   - Certificate Revocation Lists (CRLs)
   - Delta CRLs for efficiency
   - Revocation reason codes
   - Distribution point mechanisms

4. **Validation Algorithms**
   - Step-by-step path validation procedures
   - Policy processing rules
   - Name constraint enforcement
   - Revocation checking requirements

5. **Internationalization Support**
   - Unicode handling in distinguished names
   - Internationalized domain names
   - Email address internationalization
   - Character encoding specifications

6. **Extensibility Framework**
   - Standard extension definitions
   - Private extension mechanisms
   - Critical vs. non-critical extensions
   - Extension processing rules

**Web4 Relevance:**
- Hierarchical trust model applicable to Web4 trust networks
- Certificate extension patterns relevant for Web4 entity attributes
- Validation algorithm structure applicable to Web4 trust verification
- Revocation mechanisms relevant for Web4 trust relationship management
- Internationalization patterns essential for global Web4 deployment
- ASN.1 encoding patterns potentially applicable to Web4 data structures

## Identity and Trust Protocol Patterns Identified

### Essential Components for Identity/Trust Standards:
1. **Trust Hierarchy Definition**
   - Root trust anchors
   - Intermediate trust entities
   - End entity identification
   - Trust relationship validation

2. **Identity Certificate Structure**
   - Core identity fields
   - Extensible attribute framework
   - Digital signature mechanisms
   - Validity period management

3. **Trust Validation Algorithms**
   - Path construction procedures
   - Policy enforcement rules
   - Constraint checking
   - Revocation verification

4. **Revocation and Lifecycle Management**
   - Revocation notification mechanisms
   - Reason code taxonomies
   - Efficient distribution methods
   - Lifecycle state management

5. **Internationalization Framework**
   - Character encoding standards
   - Multilingual name handling
   - Cultural naming conventions
   - Global accessibility

### Trust Infrastructure Requirements:
- Formal trust model specification
- Cryptographic algorithm profiles
- Certificate/credential formats
- Validation procedure definitions
- Revocation infrastructure design
- Policy framework specification
- Interoperability requirements
- Security considerations analysis


### RFC 7519 (JSON Web Token) - Modern Token-Based Authentication Standard

**Document Header:**
- RFC Number: 7519
- Title: JSON Web Token (JWT)
- Category: Standards Track
- Date: May 2015
- Authors: M. Jones (Microsoft), J. Bradley (Ping Identity), N. Sakimura (NRI)

**Standard RFC Sections:**
1. **Introduction** (page 4)
   - 1.1 Notational Conventions

2. **Terminology** (page 4)

3. **JSON Web Token (JWT) Overview** (page 6)
   - 3.1 Example JWT

4. **JWT Claims** (page 8)
   - 4.1 Registered Claim Names
     - 4.1.1 "iss" (Issuer) Claim
     - 4.1.2 "sub" (Subject) Claim
     - 4.1.3 "aud" (Audience) Claim
     - 4.1.4 "exp" (Expiration Time) Claim
     - 4.1.5 "nbf" (Not Before) Claim
     - 4.1.6 "iat" (Issued At) Claim
     - 4.1.7 "jti" (JWT ID) Claim
   - 4.2 Public Claim Names
   - 4.3 Private Claim Names

5. **JOSE Header** (page 11)
   - 5.1 "typ" (Type) Header Parameter
   - 5.2 "cty" (Content Type) Header Parameter
   - 5.3 Replicating Claims as Header Parameters

6. **Unsecured JWTs** (page 12)
   - 6.1 Example Unsecured JWT

7. **Creating and Validating JWTs** (page 13)
   - 7.1 Creating a JWT
   - 7.2 Validating a JWT
   - 7.3 String Comparison Rules

8. **Implementation Requirements** (page 16)

9. **URI for Declaring that Content is a JWT** (page 17)

10. **IANA Considerations** (page 17)
    - 10.1 JSON Web Token Claims Registry
      - 10.1.1 Registration Template
      - 10.1.2 Initial Registry Contents
    - 10.2 Sub-Namespace Registration of urn:ietf:params:oauth:token-type:jwt
      - 10.2.1 Registry Contents
    - 10.3 Media Type Registration
      - 10.3.1 Registry Contents
    - 10.4 Header Parameter Names Registration
      - 10.4.1 Registry Contents

11. **Security Considerations** (page 21)
    - 11.1 Trust Decisions
    - 11.2 Signing and Encryption Order

12. **Privacy Considerations** (page 22)

13. **References** (page 22)
    - 13.1 Normative References
    - 13.2 Informative References

**Appendix A: JWT Examples** (page 26)
- A.1 Example Encrypted JWT
- A.2 Example Nested JWT

**Appendix B: Relationship of JWTs to SAML Assertions** (page 28)

**Appendix C: Relationship of JWTs to Simple Web Tokens (SWTs)** (page 28)

**Key Structural Patterns for Modern Token Standards:**

1. **Compact Format Design**
   - URL-safe encoding (Base64url)
   - Three-part structure: Header.Payload.Signature
   - JSON-based payload for human readability
   - Minimal overhead for space-constrained environments

2. **Standardized Claims Framework**
   - Registered claims with defined semantics
   - Public claims with collision-resistant names
   - Private claims for application-specific use
   - Extensible claim system

3. **Security Integration**
   - Built on JSON Web Signature (JWS) foundation
   - JSON Web Encryption (JWE) support
   - Algorithm agility
   - Clear validation procedures

4. **Registry-Based Extensibility**
   - IANA-managed claims registry
   - Header parameter registry
   - Media type registration
   - URI namespace registration

5. **Implementation Guidance**
   - Clear creation and validation algorithms
   - String comparison rules
   - Implementation requirements
   - Security and privacy considerations

**Web4 Relevance:**
- Compact token format applicable to Web4 credentials
- Claims framework relevant for Web4 entity attributes
- Registry patterns essential for Web4 extensibility
- Security integration patterns applicable to Web4 trust tokens
- Modern JSON-based approach suitable for Web4 data formats

## Modern Token Standard Patterns Identified

### Essential Components for Token Standards:
1. **Compact Encoding Format**
   - URL-safe representation
   - Minimal size overhead
   - Human-readable payload
   - Structured format (header.payload.signature)

2. **Claims-Based Architecture**
   - Standardized claim definitions
   - Extensible claim framework
   - Namespace management
   - Type-safe claim processing

3. **Cryptographic Integration**
   - Digital signature support
   - Encryption capabilities
   - Algorithm flexibility
   - Key management integration

4. **Validation Framework**
   - Step-by-step validation procedures
   - Error handling specifications
   - Security requirement enforcement
   - Implementation guidelines

5. **Registry Infrastructure**
   - IANA-managed registries
   - Extension mechanisms
   - Collision avoidance
   - Versioning support

### Modern Standard Characteristics:
- Focused scope and clear purpose
- JSON-based for modern web compatibility
- Security-first design principles
- Extensive IANA registry integration
- Comprehensive examples and guidance
- Relationship documentation with existing standards

## Comprehensive RFC Pattern Analysis Summary

Based on analysis of RFC 791 (IP), RFC 2616 (HTTP/1.1), RFC 6455 (WebSocket), RFC 5280 (X.509 PKI), and RFC 7519 (JWT), the following universal patterns emerge:

### Universal RFC Structure Requirements:
1. **Document Metadata**
   - RFC number and title
   - Category (Standards Track, Informational, etc.)
   - Authors and affiliations
   - Date and ISSN
   - Obsoletes/Updates relationships

2. **Standard Sections**
   - Abstract (required)
   - Status of This Memo (required)
   - Copyright Notice (required)
   - Table of Contents (required)
   - Introduction with scope and terminology (required)
   - Technical specification sections (required)
   - Security Considerations (required)
   - IANA Considerations (required if applicable)
   - References (Normative and Informative) (required)
   - Authors' Addresses (required)

3. **Technical Content Patterns**
   - Formal grammar specifications (ABNF, ASN.1, JSON Schema)
   - Algorithm and procedure definitions
   - Data format specifications
   - Extension mechanisms
   - Implementation requirements
   - Validation procedures

4. **Registry Integration**
   - IANA registry requirements
   - Registration templates
   - Initial registry contents
   - Extension procedures

5. **Quality Assurance Elements**
   - Comprehensive examples
   - Security analysis
   - Privacy considerations
   - Implementation guidance
   - Interoperability requirements

### Web4-Specific Adaptations Needed:
- Trust relationship modeling
- Decentralized identity patterns
- Multi-domain interoperability
- Real-time communication protocols
- Modern JSON-based formats
- Extensible attribute frameworks
- Cryptographic agility
- Registry-based governance

