On Tue, Jul 14, 2026 at 07:41:16AM -0700, Eric Rescorla wrote:
> On Tue, Jul 14, 2026 at 5:10 AM Rifaat Shekh-Yusef <[email protected]>
> wrote:
> >
> > Can you elaborate on what you mean by "superior" in this case?
> >
> 
> Yes, I think the complexity of this approach outweighs the alleged
> benefits.

I do not think this is complex (after some simplification). I think the
main drawback is the hell this plays with TLS client APIs. Yes, I used
to think this would be far too complex to feasibly implement.

With regards to benefits (after simplification), I think the main one
is avoiding a combinatorial explosion in an exceptionally nasty place.
 
I consider both pretty major. So one has annoying high benefit, high
cost situation.


> > Given modern automation (ACME) and shortened certificate
> >> lifetimes, it's hard to believe just issuing the certificates is a big
> >> deal, though perhaps technically being able to make the composites is?
> >>
> >
> > I am not sure I understand this comment. Can elaborate on this?
> >
> 
> You're going to need to issue a lot of certificates anyway, I don't see why
> issuing the composite certificate is a big deal.

As an operator, I can say that issuing composite certificate is a big
deal, even with automation like ACME. Because it involves actions that
can not be feasibly automated.




-Ilari

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