opportunity for those who can't justify the extra trips to at least have some feedback to try and close the loop on protocol design.
Joint meetings are all well and good but are not necessary for feedback. NANOG folks can join IETF mailing lists here http://www.ietf.org/html.charters/wg-dir.html and post their feedback. Or, better yet, they can write their studied opinions in an Internet Draft and submit that to the IETF. There are guidelines and a checklist here http://www.ietf.org/ID.html for those who are willing to take the time. Note that because this document is a draft, submitted for discussion and comment, it is not necessary to be as complete as an RFC. Some drafts that eventually become RFCs, go through many revisions. The point is that the IETF is open to receiving feedback, ideas, opinions, in written form. You don't have to go to a meeting and argue your case in a room full of hostile vendors and programmers. A steady stream of Internet drafts and mailing list comments from operators will probably have more effect that a few meeting visits. --Michael Dillon