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Session Date/Time: 17 Mar 2026 03:30

NTP

Summary

The NTP Working Group session at IETF 125 focused on the status of active working group documents, a transition in leadership, and a proposal regarding hardware-rooted attestation for PTP. Key progress was noted on the NTPv5 and NTS for PTP drafts. The group also discussed the upcoming leadership change, with Tommy Jensen succeeding Eric Vyncke as the responsible Area Director.

Key Discussion Points

Leadership and Administrative Updates

• AD Transition: Eric Vyncke is stepping down as the Area Director (AD) after six years. Tommy Jensen will take over as the incoming AD for the NTP working group.
• Document Status:
  • The PTP for NTP document is currently in the RFC Editor queue.
  • The "Rough Time" document is nearing completion, with only one remaining IESG discuss to clear.

Working Group Documents

• draft-ietf-ntp-ntpv5 (Network Time Protocol Version 5):
  • A recent update was published. Miroslav Lichvar identified four remaining issues on the mailing list.
  • The chairs called for more reviews as the document matures.
  • A virtual interim and a Vienna Hackathon project are planned to further this work.
• draft-ietf-ntp-nts-for-ptp (Network Time Security for the Precision Time Protocol):
  • Martin Langer reported the draft is nearly finished, with Security and IANA considerations still needing completion.
  • The draft is being aligned with ongoing developments in the IEEE 1588 security subcommittee. Finalization is expected this year.
• NTS for NTP Pools:
  • The working group has adopted this as an experimental RFC to document the current ongoing experiment.
  • A new version must be submitted under the official working group name.

Individual Submissions

• NTPv5 Algorithms: It was decided to let this document expire for now and revisit it once the core NTPv5 protocol is further along.
• Hardware-Rooted Attestation for PTP:
  • Diego Lopez presented a proposal to use hardware roots of trust (like TPMs) and Merkle trees to attest to the integrity and geographical location of PTP messages without impacting timing sensitivity.
  • The goal is to provide non-repudiation and prepare for Post-Quantum Cryptography (PQC).
  • Discussion ensued regarding whether this work belongs in the NTP WG or the RATS (Remote ATtestation ProcedureS) WG. Karen O'Donoghue and Eric Vyncke suggested socializing the topic with Security ADs to find the appropriate home.

External Coordination (IEEE 1588)

• CSPTP (Client-Server PTP): Work is continuing, but currently blocked by an architectural decision regarding one-step versus two-step clocks. Once resolved, NTS for CSPTP will be integrated.
• NTS for PTP: Progress continues in the 1588 security subcommittee, with draft access available for reviewers upon request to the chairs.

Decisions and Action Items

• NTPv5 Algorithms: Sarah Grant will let the current individual draft expire.
• NTS for NTP Pools: Authors to submit the next version as a working group document.
• NTPv5 Reviews: Working group members are encouraged to review the four issues identified by Miroslav Lichvar on the mailing list.

Next Steps

• Virtual Interim: A virtual meeting will be scheduled between IETF 125 and IETF 126 (Vienna) to focus on draft-ietf-ntp-ntpv5.
• IETF 126 Hackathon: Planning to host hackathon projects for NTPv5 and NTS for PTP in Vienna.
• Security Coordination: Incoming AD Tommy Jensen will assist in socializing the hardware-rooted attestation proposal with the Security Area to determine the best path forward.

Related Documents

draft-ietf-ntp-ntpv5, draft-ietf-ntp-nts-for-ptp