Internet Engineering Task Force Open Forum | IGF 2023 Town Hall #32

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Andrew Alston, one of the three routing area directors in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), highlights the importance of increased operator participation in the IETF. He firmly believes that operators must actively engage and contribute to ensure that the internet functions in a way that benefits them.

Alston acknowledges the critical role that operators play in maintaining and improving internet infrastructure, and their expertise is invaluable in shaping internet standards and protocols.

Additionally, Alston advocates for greater African representation and participation within the IETF. As a representative of Kenya in the IETF and the head of the Research and Development department for Liquid Telecom in Kenya, he emphasizes the significant discrepancy between Africa’s population of 1.2 billion people and its limited representation in the global internet standards body.

Alston sees the IETF as a platform to address the unique needs and challenges of the African continent regarding internet protocols and standards. By encouraging increased African involvement, he aims to ensure that the development and governance of the internet are inclusive and responsive to the African perspective.

According to Alston, the IETF welcomes participation from operators, vendors, and governments, making it an open community.

He believes that the IETF’s strength lies in its ability to bring together diverse perspectives and cultures, contributing to better decision-making and more robust internet standards. Alston recognizes the importance of a multi-stakeholder model in achieving these goals and acknowledges the IETF’s commitment to diversity.

However, Alston acknowledges that the IETF could do better in terms of diversity and inclusivity.

While the organization embraces diversity as a core principle, there is still room for improvement. Alston’s admission reflects an understanding of the ongoing challenges faced by the IETF in ensuring equitable and inclusive representation.

In conclusion, Andrew Alston, as a routing area director in the IETF, advocates for increased operator participation and greater representation from Africa in the internet standards body.

He emphasizes the crucial role of operators in shaping the internet and highlights the unique needs of the African continent. Additionally, Alston recognizes the IETF’s commitment to diversity but also acknowledges the need for further improvement in this area.

His insights shed light on the importance of inclusivity and diversity in internet governance and the ongoing efforts to achieve these goals within the IETF.

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During the event, speakers highlighted several key points. One major concern raised was the lack of diversity in standards bodies, with limited participation from women, civil society organizations, governments, end users, and the tech sector. Only around 10% of participation in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is from women, indicating a significant problem.

This lack of diversity can have negative consequences for both the standards themselves and the broader industry.

On a positive note, it was argued that diversity is crucial for improving organizational culture and the quality of output. A diverse range of perspectives and experiences leads to more innovative and inclusive solutions.

The importance of diversity in achieving the Sustainable Development Goal of reducing inequalities (SDG10) was also emphasized.

The existence of unintentional barriers hindering diversity in standards bodies was also discussed. These barriers affect both entry and ongoing participation, making it difficult for certain groups to get involved.

Identifying and addressing these barriers is essential for promoting diversity and ensuring equal participation.

There is also a need to extend web standards to rural communities and remote locations, as highlighted by a question from a worker in a rural area of Bangalore, India.

The speaker argued that web standards should go beyond urban areas and be accessible to everyone, including those in underserved areas. This aligns with SDG9, which focuses on industry, innovation, and infrastructure.

The positive impact of the IETF was recognized, particularly in the area of privacy.

Danko Jevtovic, a member of the ICANN board, commended the IETF’s work on privacy standards. The open and free standards of the IETF, based on Internet Protocol (IP), were also praised as a successful strategy against closed systems.

However, there was concern over the lack of representation of the technical community in the Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

It was argued that the technical community should have more involvement in the IGF to ensure balanced representation and better decision-making.

The challenges of transitioning from legacy technology and protocols to newer ones were also discussed. It was pointed out that some government systems, like those in Japan, still use outdated protocols such as FTP.

While there is recognition of the need to move away from legacy technology, there are challenges that need to be addressed for a smooth transition.

Finally, the audience expressed the need for longer sessions and workshops to allow for more in-depth discussions and learning.

While Jane Coffin’s moderation was appreciated, it was felt that more time was needed to fully explore the topics. Additionally, a preference for on-site work was mentioned, indicating a desire for physical presence and collaboration.

In conclusion, the analysis revealed various challenges and opportunities in the field of standards bodies and internet governance.

The lack of diversity, unintentional barriers, the need to extend web standards, and the importance of the technical community’s representation were key concerns. On a positive note, the impact and effectiveness of the IETF’s work, as well as the benefits of diversity in organizational culture and quality of work, were highlighted.

The event provided valuable insights and called for actions to promote diversity, address barriers, and ensure wider participation in shaping internet standards and policies.

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Colin Perkins, an esteemed member of the University of Glasgow, is highly involved in the Internet Research Task Force (IRTF), where he serves as chair. He has actively contributed to both the IRTF and the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) since the 1990s and has successfully led various IETF working groups.

The IRTF plays a crucial role in conducting long-term research, complementing the near-term standards work performed by the IETF.

Perkins, as the chair of the IRTF, acts as a bridge between the research community and the standards development community within the IETF, facilitating coordination and collaboration between the two.

Perkins values his role in coordinating research and standards communities, considering it an essential aspect of his work within the IRTF.

He believes that such collaboration is pivotal in driving innovation and growth within the industry.

One notable outcome of the collaboration between the IETF and the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) is the development of the next version of the web transport protocol, known as HTTP3.

This significant advancement in web technology was accomplished through joint efforts. Furthermore, the collaboration between the IETF and the W3C has also led to the creation of the WebRTC protocols for facilitating video conferencing.

Throughout his involvement in the community, Perkins has had a positive experience, finding the process to be remarkably straightforward.

This observation highlights the effectiveness of the community in fostering a conducive and efficient environment for collaboration and development.

In conclusion, Colin Perkins, a highly regarded member of the University of Glasgow, serves as the chair of the IRTF.

His active involvement in the IRTF and IETF, along with his expertise in coordinating research and standards communities, contributes to the advancement of long-term research and the development of standards within the industry. The collaboration between the IETF and the W3C has yielded significant results, such as the HTTP3 protocol and the WebRTC protocols.

Perkins’ positive experience in the community further reflects the efficacy of the collaborative process.

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In a series of discussions, Dhruv Dhody and the IAB outreach coordinator emphasise the importance of increasing participation and diversity in the ITF (Internet Technical Foundation). Dhruv Dhody specifically focuses on the need for more participation from India, particularly from multinational corporations and large network operators.

His experience in implementing and designing Request for Comments (RFCs) has made him aware of the potential that India holds in contributing to the ITF. With the support of individuals like Suresh, Dhruv and others have been diligently working to encourage and enhance participation from India.

On the other hand, the IAB outreach coordinator discusses the various efforts being made to improve access to the ITF and increase diversity.

They highlight the role of education and outreach in achieving these goals. As part of the ITF’s education and outreach team, the coordinator focuses on making it easier and more successful for women and individuals of diverse genders to participate.

Their efforts have resulted in positive changes within the ITF since their involvement began around 2010.

The discussions indicate a positive sentiment towards increasing participation and diversity within the ITF. It is evident that both Dhruv Dhody and the IAB outreach coordinator recognise the significance of broadening the participation base and promoting inclusivity within the ITF community.

By encouraging multinational corporations, large network operators, and individuals from underrepresented groups to actively engage and contribute their expertise, the ITF can benefit from a diverse range of perspectives and ideas.

Overall, the detailed analyses of Dhruv Dhody and the IAB outreach coordinator shed light on the ongoing efforts to create a more inclusive and diverse ITF.

Their observations and insights emphasize the positive changes observed since their involvement began in 2010. These discussions serve as a call to action for increased participation from India and a concerted effort towards improving diversity within the ITF.

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The analysis reveals that the Internet Governance Forum (IGF) has limited representation of the technical community, as highlighted by audience comments. Efforts are being made, however, to address this issue. It is predicted that there will be increased participation from the technical community in the future.

Jane Coffin, in agreement with the audience’s observation about the lack of representation, indicates efforts to remedy this.

She acknowledges that there was more participation from the technical community in the early years of the IGF. Coffin also points out that the IETF, IEB, and RERTF were present at the session, indicating some level of technical community involvement.

She predicts that there will be even more participation in the future.

Furthermore, Coffin emphasizes the need for more valuable input on technical aspects in the IGF discussions. Specifically, she mentions internet exchange points, BGP, and IP addressing as areas where more input could provide valuable contributions to the Multistakeholder Advisory Group (MAG).

She advocates for bringing back a past practice of focusing on these technical aspects.

In addition to technical input, Coffin appreciates the potential of the Internet Society (ISOC) and recommends its Japanese chapter for potential workshops. She used to work at ISOC and believes they have strong potential in helping with workshops.

Moreover, Coffin encourages engagement with the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) and the Internet Architecture Board (IAB).

She expresses gratitude and encourages the audience to stay in touch with these technical bodies, highlighting their importance in the context of networking, digital cooperation, and sustainable development.

Overall, the analysis indicates the need for increased representation of the technical community in the IGF.

Coffin’s arguments and recommendations provide valuable insights into how this can be achieved, including the focus on technical aspects and collaboration with relevant technical organizations. It is crucial for the IGF to involve the technical community to ensure comprehensive discussions and effective decision-making on internet governance issues.

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The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is highly regarded for its open and inclusive platform that enables individuals to participate and contribute to improving internet protocols. This open participation model does not require a membership fee or any formal sign-up process, making it accessible to anyone interested in contributing to the development of the internet.

One example of the positive experiences individuals have had with the IETF is shared by Lars Eggert, who joined as a PhD student and contributed to the improvement of the TCP protocol.

This highlights the opportunity for young researchers to get involved and make a meaningful impact on internet protocols.

Protocols such as IP, DNS, and TCP have been continuously evolving over the years. Despite carrying most of the bytes on the internet, these protocols have undergone significant changes since their inception.

It is worth noting that despite sharing the same name, these protocols are vastly different than they were in the past.

The IETF’s unique process of designing technical specifications plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of the internet.

This process, which closely resembles maintaining an aeroplane in flight, has been in place since the inception of the internet. Discussions and developments within the IETF occur in a collaborative manner, allowing for the continuous improvement of internet protocols.

The IETF also shows a strong commitment to enhancing internet security and privacy protections.

Two years ago, they published version 1.3 of the Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocol, which added significant security and privacy measures. This effort was intensified following the revelations made by Edward Snowden, which prompted additional work towards strengthening the security of the internet.

A notable development in internet traffic has been the introduction of QUIC (Quick UDP Internet Connections) with HTTP 3 and TLS 1.3.

This combination has dramatically transformed the model of internet traffic. In fact, it is estimated that QUIC with HTTP 3 and TLS 1.3 already accounts for close to half of all web traffic. This serves as further evidence of the IETF’s ability to drive significant changes in the internet landscape.

The IETF has also taken steps to address the problem of stalking through devices like AirTags.

They have initiated a Birds of a Feather session (DALT) to discuss this issue. Moreover, major device vendors have come together at the IETF to standardise measures and find solutions to prevent stalking incidents.

Overall, the IETF acts as a suitable platform for standardising measures for device tracking.

It embraces an open and inclusive approach, allowing everyone to participate and contribute without any membership fees or restrictions. The clear rules established by the IETF ensure that the working process is understood by all participants.

In conclusion, the IETF’s open platform, dedication to evolving internet protocols, unique process of designing technical specifications, commitment to security and privacy, ability to drive change, and efforts to address emerging challenges make it a crucial institution for the development and maintenance of the internet.

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Mallory Knodel, a professional associated with the Centre for Democracy and Technology, actively participates in various technical communities and organisations. She serves on the Internet Architecture Board (IAB), alongside Dhruv Dhody and Suresh Krishnan, where she chairs a research group on human rights and collaborates with Suresh on a working group.

Her work demonstrates a commitment to evolving and promoting ethical practices within the field.

Mallory’s involvement in the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) began almost a decade ago when she worked at the Association for Progressive Communications (APC).

During her time at APC, Mallory discovered interesting and useful experiences within smaller tech communities, such as independent or NGO-operated community networks and web or email hosting. Recognising the value of these experiences, she strives to incorporate them into larger standards bodies.

In addition to her work with community networks, Mallory has expertise in digital security and journalism.

She has conducted training sessions for journalists and activists, equipping them with crucial skills in digital security. Mallory acknowledges the challenges of teaching advanced concepts like PGP encrypted email but believes that by changing the Internet at the IETF level, it is possible to better serve individuals in vulnerable situations.

Furthermore, Mallory recognises the need to extend web standards to rural communities.

While the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) primarily establishes web standards, there is some overlap between the work of W3C and IETF. Mallory’s organization actively promotes diverse web standards, emphasizing the importance of catering to the needs of different communities.

In terms of Internet governance, Mallory sees an opportunity for the W3C to contribute to the Internet Governance Forum (IGF).

Unlike the IGF, which primarily focuses on policy matters, the technical communities represented by organizations like the W3C can bridge the gap between policy and technical aspects. Currently, the W3C has limited presence at IGF, but their participation could significantly enhance the forum’s effectiveness.

Additionally, Mallory notes a decline in participation within technical institutions over the years.

She agrees with Jane Coffin’s observation regarding the decreasing attendance at sessions held by organizations such as the IETF, IEB, and RERTF compared to a decade ago. Mallory and other members of the technical community are making concerted efforts to restore participation levels to their former heights, demonstrating a shared commitment to fostering a thriving technical landscape.

In conclusion, Mallory Knodel’s contributions and experiences within various technical communities and organizations encompass a wide range of significant areas.

From her involvement with the IAB and efforts to incorporate smaller tech experiences into larger standards bodies, to her training of journalists and activists in digital security, and her recognition of the importance of extending web standards to rural communities, Mallory consistently exhibits dedication to promoting ethical practices and inclusivity within the rapidly evolving technological landscape.

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The Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is an influential organisation that drives internet standards. They focus on creating high-quality, industry-wide standards to promote interoperability. The success of the IETF is measured by the voluntary deployment of their protocols.

The IETF’s decision-making process, based on “rough consensus,” ensures that decisions are made by the community.

This inclusive approach allows for progress even amidst differing opinions and concerns.

The openness of the IETF is crucial to its impact. They keep barriers low to encourage participation and promote transparency. This fosters collaboration and knowledge exchange.

However, engaging with the IETF can be overwhelming due to the complexity of information and tasks involved.

It is a dynamic platform for knowledgeable individuals, but newcomers may find it challenging.

The IETF values diversity to ensure quality standards. They strive for inclusivity, recognising that not everyone has the same resources to participate. The freely accessible standards enable anyone to enhance them.

The IETF actively reaches out to policy stakeholders, explaining their work and establishing dialogue.

They recognise the importance of updating old protocols to maintain internet health and security.

In conclusion, the IETF is an influential organisation driving internet standards. Their commitment to high-quality standards, inclusive decision-making, and knowledge sharing make them a dynamic platform.

While engaging with the IETF may be challenging, their focus on accessibility and inclusivity ensures the continued development of internet standards.

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Suresh Krishnan’s work on IPv6 is driven by his goal to bridge the digital divide between developing and developed countries. In the late 90s and early 2000s, it became evident that developing countries, such as India and China, lagged behind developed countries in IP address allocation.

This discrepancy posed a significant challenge for these countries in terms of equal access to technology and communication.

IPv6 emerged as a new technology that was seen as a solution to this problem. It provided a much larger number of IP addresses compared to the limited supply of IPv4 addresses.

By implementing IPv6, developing countries could access a larger pool of addresses, enabling them to expand their connectivity and reduce the digital divide. Recognizing the potential of IPv6, Krishnan dedicated his efforts to advancing this technology, with the aim of creating a more equitable digital landscape.

Krishnan is actively involved in the IETF community, which is known for its open and supportive approach.

The community has made significant progress in promoting inclusivity in participation and collaboration, which plays a crucial role in addressing challenges and finding effective solutions. The IETF facilitates remote participation, allowing individuals who are unable to attend meetings in person to engage and contribute to discussions.

Financial waivers are provided to those facing financial constraints, ensuring equal opportunities for participation. The community has also made provisions for childcare at meetings, demonstrating their commitment to supporting young parents and promoting inclusivity.

Krishnan emphasizes the importance of inclusivity in problem-solving through collaboration.

Inclusivity ensures that diverse perspectives and ideas are considered, leading to more comprehensive and innovative solutions. His advocacy for inclusivity aligns with the belief that collective intelligence and diverse experiences contribute to more effective problem-solving.

The multi-stakeholder approach, which involves engaging various stakeholders such as governments, civil society organizations, and the private sector, has proven successful in problem-solving.

The experience of the IETF community highlights the effectiveness of this approach in leveraging expertise, fostering cooperation, and achieving common goals.

In conclusion, Suresh Krishnan’s work in IPv6 focuses on reducing the digital divide between developing and developed countries.

The IETF community promotes a supportive and inclusive environment, encouraging collaboration and inclusivity in problem-solving. The multi-stakeholder approach holds great potential for driving future development through collective efforts and diverse perspectives.