IETF Protocols: SSH ML-DSA Holds, Power TE Dispute, MoQT Discovery

IETF working groups handled multiple adoption calls and technical disputes across SSH, traffic engineering, and attestation on 2026-09-09. Post-quantum algorithm registration, power-aware routing feasibility, and Media over QUIC discovery drew the most attention.

SSH ML-DSA Code Points Held Pending Draft

An IANA request for SSH public key algorithm name code points covering ML-DSA remains held pending draft merge. A Go implementer asked the designated experts to reactivate processing. SSH developers integrating post-quantum algorithms need the code points before interoperable deployments can proceed.

TEAS Questions Distributed Power-Aware TE

The TEAS working group debated whether distributed power-aware traffic engineering is feasible while considering adoption of draft-many-teas-power-steering-01, with the call ending 2026-09-10. Twenty-four messages from eight participants challenged core assumptions of the draft. Operators planning energy-aware path computation should track whether the work advances.

MoQT URI Resolution and TLS Cert Matching

A new draft-jennings-moq-discovery-01 defines URI resolution and TLS certificate matching rules for Media over QUIC Transport. The MOQ working group examined scope and references in a short thread. MoQT implementers require consistent discovery and identity binding to avoid fragmentation.

RATS Opens Verifiable Geo-Fence Adoption

The RATS working group started a two-week adoption call for draft-lkspa-rats-verifiable-geo-fence. Multiple co-authors and contributors expressed support. Attestation systems that enforce location constraints gain a candidate standard if the call succeeds.

DKIM2 Key Validity Field Sparks Format Fight

A proposal to add a key validity field for DKIM2 produced a 33-message exchange. One participant objected to JSON in key records on performance grounds while others dismissed the objections as irrelevant. Mail authentication developers must watch the resulting record format decisions.

PCE Calls for Optical PCEP-LS Adoption

The PCE working group opened an adoption call for draft-lee-pce-pcep-ls-optical-18 ending 2026-09-14. The document specifies experimental PCEP-LS extensions carrying optical traffic engineering data. Optical control-plane work depends on standardized TE distribution via PCEP.

DTN Advances BPv7 Echo Service Adoption

The DTN working group began an adoption call for the BPv7 Echo Service draft running through 21 September 2026. Discussion of the service number was settled by deferring allocation to IANA. Delay-tolerant networking stacks obtain a basic reachability test once the service is assigned.

RATS Geographic Results Also Under Adoption

A concurrent RATS adoption call covers draft-richardson-rats-geographic-results and drew multiple statements of support plus minor technical comments. The draft handles geographic results inside remote attestation evidence. Together with the geo-fence work it broadens location-aware attestation options.