Hi, I wonder what the word “Alternatively” refers to in RFC9002 Section 6.2.4. Sending Probe Packets.
I would summarize the Section before the word as follows: "When a PTO timer expires, a sender MUST send at least one ack-eliciting packet [...] An endpoint SHOULD include new data in packets that are sent on PTO expiration. Previously sent data MAY be sent if no new data can be sent. [...] When there is no data to send, the sender SHOULD send a PING or other ack-eliciting frame in a single packet, rearming the PTO timer." Then, the sentence that confuses me: "Alternatively, instead of sending an ack-eliciting packet, the sender MAY mark any packets still in flight as lost." Alternatively to what? (1) Alternatively to send a probe packet at all. Or (2) Alternatively to send a probe packet in case the sender has no unsent or previously sent data available? Based on the history of the Section, my guess is (2). But, I can’t tell based on the current text. Since both options are in contrast to the first sentence of the Section, I might have missed something. Timo
smime.p7s
Description: S/MIME cryptographic signature
