← All reports

Nonsense Protocol 'Meow MRRP' Draft Sparks Outrage Over IETF Process Integrity and Technical Sloppiness

Science & ResearchApr 18, 2026score 2.673 posts · 10 replies across 2 instances
The IETF published 'Meow MRRP' (draft-meow-mrrp-00.html), a protocol draft widely mocked for its nonsensical and overly enthusiastic feature wishlist, including the bizarre suggestion of using JSON Web Tokens at the hardware level. Commenters view the draft as pure comedy. Critics accuse the publication process of being automated and lacking necessary rigor. Specific complaints target the draft's obvious flaws, such as uncorrected typos noted by @[email protected], and outlandish proposed applications like 'IP over Avian Carrier,' per @[email protected]. Conversely, some engage in mocking support, while one user corrected a historical technical detail, noting the April Fools' joke concern pertains to IPv9, not IPv8 (@[email protected]). The overwhelming sentiment is that the published draft is an embarrassing, low-effort joke that calls into question the technical standards and mandatory review process of the IETF itself. The fault line separates those treating it as parody from those seriously questioning the automated nature of I-D publication.

Key points

OPPOSE
The 'Meow MRRP' draft is widely ridiculed for its nonsensical content.
The consensus sees the draft as an absurdity, pointing specifically to the inclusion of 'wishlist' features like JSON Web Tokens at the hardware level (@[email protected]).
OPPOSE
The publication process itself is under suspicion.
Users like @[email protected] challenge the document's existence, asserting that the I-D publishing process is fully automated and should mandate rigorous review.
OPPOSE
The draft contains multiple basic technical and editorial errors.
@[email protected] flagged uncorrected typos, while @[email protected] questioned its real-world viability concerning 'IP over Avian Carrier'.
MIXED
A factual correction was made regarding historical IP jokes.
@[email protected] corrected @[email protected], stating the old April Fools' joke reference belongs to IPv9, not IPv8.

Source posts

@[email protected]
it seems someone decided to prove you really can just publish any nonsense protocol draft with the IETF https://www.ietf.org/archive/id/draft-meow-mrrp-00.html
410 boosts · 446 favs · 63 replies · Apr 17, 2026
@[email protected]
I think it is really important to analyze the implication of the new IETF Draft Meow MRRP in the wild. I strongly assume it will lead to widespread loss of carriers when applied in areas where IP over Avian Carrier is in use. More research is needed. And funding! https://www.ietf.org/archive/id/draft-meow-mrrp-00.html #meowdraft #ietf #meowmrrp #infosec
30 boosts · 36 favs · 2 replies · Apr 17, 2026
#meowdraft#ietf#meowmrrp#infosec
@[email protected]
And thank you @mat for the IETF Draft Meow MRRP https://www.ietf.org/archive/id/draft-meow-mrrp-00.html When I read it, my mind sings "meowmeowmeow" along to this well known song #meowmrrp #ietf #infosec
0 boosts · 2 favs · 0 replies · Apr 17, 2026
#meowmrrp#ietf#infosec