Session Date/Time: 29 Feb 2024 17:00

NTP

Summary

The NTP Working Group met virtually to review the status of its various documents and discuss ongoing work. Key updates included the publication of the Chronos document, the readiness of NTP over PTP for ISG review, and a decision to move NTS for PTP towards working group adoption. Discussions also covered the challenges and ongoing work regarding NTS protection for NTP pools, and the status of NTPv5 requirements and protocol specification.

Key Discussion Points

Tribute to Dave Mills: Acknowledgment of Dave Mills' significant contributions to the NTP space following his passing earlier this year. A short memoriam is planned for IETF 119.
NTP Registries Document: Updates from the working group last call have been incorporated. The document is with the Area Director, Eric Klein, awaiting progression to a Telechat.
Enterprise Profile Document (TickTock WG): This document is currently in IETF Last Call, which is scheduled to end on March 5th. The Working Group aims to push this through to close the TickTock Working Group.
Chronos Document: The document has been published. Netta congratulations. Netta indicated discussions are underway with the IEEE on promoting and implementing Chronos, and invited anyone interested in implementation to get involved. The WG requested updates on implementation and deployment status.
NTP over PTP Document: Following a working group last call with an "anemic response" but indicating readiness, Marislaav indicated that editorial changes have been made and the document is ready to proceed to the ISG.
NTPv5 Requirements Document: The document is in "limbo" after its working group last call, with some members expressing concerns that comments were not adequately addressed. Kristoff confirmed that he considers his blocking issues resolved, though sometimes with "bare minimum" changes, and would only want to reopen discussion if others found a specific point important. The Chairs plan to address remaining minor issues and discuss with the Area Director and ISG the path forward, especially concerning the publication of requirements documents.
NTS for PTP Document: Martin expressed that the document has been updated with significant structural changes based on feedback and is ready for working group adoption. He is also making progress on its implementation.
- A sense of those present indicated no objections to moving this to an official working group document.
NTS for NTP Pools Discussion: Martin elaborated on the ongoing mailing list discussion regarding the protection of public NTP pools with NTS. The complexities of combining NTS with public NTP pools, including different attack vectors and more complex communication paths (between key management server, time server, and client), were highlighted. David's spreadsheet, which explores various proposals and characteristics, was mentioned as a central point for collecting ideas. It was clarified that this issue is distinct from NTS for PTP. The Working Group encouraged those with expertise and interest to engage with the mailing list discussion and contribute ideas.
NTPv5 Protocol Specification: Marislaav indicated no update for this meeting but expects to dedicate more time to it in the coming months. Participants were encouraged to provide comments now.
Rough Time Document: No updates were provided for this work item.

Decisions and Action Items

Decision: The Working Group will initiate a formal call for adoption on the mailing list for the NTS for PTP document, based on the sense of no objections during the meeting.
Action Item: Chairs to follow up with Eric Klein on the status of the Updating the NTP Registries document.
Action Item: Netta to provide updates to the Working Group on Chronos implementation and deployment status as they become available.
Action Item: Chairs to address minor issues in the NTPv5 Requirements document and discuss its publication path with the Area Director and ISG.
Action Item: Working Group participants interested in NTS for NTP pools are encouraged to review David's spreadsheet and contribute to the discussion on the mailing list.

Next Steps

The Working Group plans to hold its next virtual interim meeting in early April, tentatively scheduled for April 11th.
An informal side meeting, without remote participation, may be held in Brisbane during IETF 119 for local participants interested in NTP.