MASQUE

Summary

The MASQUE Working Group session at IETF 125 focused on the progression of existing specifications toward publication, the introduction of a new architectural overview, and optimizations for HTTP datagrams including compression and ECN/DSCP support. The chairs announced that several drafts are ready for the IESG, while others are moving toward Standards Track status. New work items regarding architecture and compression were discussed as candidates for adoption following a planned re-chartering of the working group.

Key Discussion Points

Working Group Status and Document Updates

Masque Chair Slides
draft-ietf-masque-connect-ethernet and draft-ietf-masque-connect-udp-listen: Shepherd write-ups are complete. These documents will be forwarded to the AD and then to the IESG.
draft-ietf-masque-connect-ip-dns: Jaroslav noted the specification is straightforward but requested more interop testing for DNS and PREF64. David Schinazi committed to providing a second implementation soon.
draft-ietf-masque-quic-proxy: Following a Working Group Last Call (WGLC), the status will be changed from Experimental to Standards Track. A second WGLC will be conducted after a SECDIR review. Tommy Pauly noted that feedback regarding loop problems and Connection ID (CID) selection has been addressed, and no major design changes are expected on those topics.
Re-chartering: The chairs plan to run adoption calls for the Compression and ECN drafts before initiating the re-chartering process.

HTTP Datagram Compression

HTTP Datagram Compression
Jaroslav presented updates to the proposal (formerly "Connect IP Optimizations"). The draft now covers connect-ip, connect-ethernet, and connect-udp.
Technical Goals: Reducing MTU pressure (avoiding fragmentation in QUIC datagrams) and offloading TCP/UDP checksum calculations to save CPU cycles (estimated 5% performance gain).
Mechanisms:
- Templates: Removing static segments (e.g., IP addresses, ports) using Context IDs.
- Derived Fields: Receiver-calculated fields (e.g., IPv4/IPv6 length).
- Checksum Offload: Passing pseudo-header checksums and offsets to allow NICs or OS kernels to handle validation.
Discussion: Gorry Fairhurst inquired about support for IPv6 extension header chains; Jaroslav noted they are supported via static templates. David Schinazi and Mirja Kühlewind voiced support for adoption, though Mirja Kühlewind suggested ensuring the mechanism for context ID assignment remains consistent across different MASQUE extensions. Marcus Ihlar supported the inclusion of "safe profiles" to guide implementers.

The MASQUE Architecture

The MASQUE Architecture
David Schinazi presented the need for a high-level architecture document (currently draft-schinazi-masque-proxy, to be renamed draft-schinazi-masque-architecture).
Purpose: To provide a single reference for external groups (e.g., MLS) and developers on what "MASQUE" is, as the term does not appear in the titles of the core RFCs.
Discussion: Jaroslav suggested adding recommendations for which "flavor" of MASQUE to use for specific use cases (e.g., VPN replacement vs. web proxying). Lucas Pardue supported the effort to provide terminology and taxonomy to clarify the protocol's components for those outside the working group.

ECN and DSCP support for HTTPS's Connect-UDP

ECN and DSCP support for HTTPS's Connect-UDP
Mirja Kühlewind presented a revised, simplified design that combines ECN and DSCP signaling into a single extension.
Technical Detail: It uses Context IDs to signal sets of ECN and DSCP values. Each assignment provides a 5-tuple (one DSCP value and four context IDs to cover all possible ECN markings). This approach ensures zero per-packet overhead.
Discussion: Gorry Fairhurst expressed satisfaction with the simplified approach.

Decisions and Action Items

The chairs will move draft-ietf-masque-connect-ethernet and draft-ietf-masque-connect-udp-listen to the AD.
The authors of draft-ietf-masque-quic-proxy will update the document to change its status to Standards Track and incorporate WGLC feedback before a second WGLC.

Next Steps

Adoption Calls: The chairs will initiate adoption calls on the mailing list for the HTTP Datagram Compression draft and the ECN and DSCP support draft.
Re-chartering: Following adoption of the two optimization drafts, the chairs will circulate a new draft charter to the mailing list for consensus.
Architecture Draft: David Schinazi will rename the architecture draft and incorporate recommendations for MASQUE "flavors" before its adoption call.

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