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129.\" ======================================================================== 124.\" ========================================================================
130.\" 125.\"
131.IX Title "GVPE.PROTOCOL 7" 126.IX Title "GVPE.PROTOCOL 7"
132.TH GVPE.PROTOCOL 7 "2005-03-15" "1.8" "GNU Virtual Private Ethernet" 127.TH GVPE.PROTOCOL 7 "2013-07-12" "2.24" "GNU Virtual Private Ethernet"
128.\" For nroff, turn off justification. Always turn off hyphenation; it makes
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131.nh
133.SH "The GNU-VPE Protocols" 132.SH "The GNU-VPE Protocols"
134.IX Header "The GNU-VPE Protocols" 133.IX Header "The GNU-VPE Protocols"
135.SH "Overview" 134.SH "Overview"
136.IX Header "Overview" 135.IX Header "Overview"
137\&\s-1GVPE\s0 can make use of a number of protocols. One of them is the \s-1GNU\s0 \s-1VPE\s0 136\&\s-1GVPE\s0 can make use of a number of protocols. One of them is the \s-1GNU\s0 \s-1VPE\s0
139packets. This protocol is described in more detail the second part of this 138packets. This protocol is described in more detail the second part of this
140document. 139document.
141.PP 140.PP
142The first part of this document describes the transport protocols which 141The first part of this document describes the transport protocols which
143are used by \s-1GVPE\s0 to send it's data packets over the network. 142are used by \s-1GVPE\s0 to send it's data packets over the network.
144.SH "PART 1: Tansport protocols" 143.SH "PART 1: Transport protocols"
145.IX Header "PART 1: Tansport protocols" 144.IX Header "PART 1: Transport protocols"
145\&\s-1GVPE\s0 offers a wide range of transport protocols that can be used to
146interchange data between nodes. Protocols differ in their overhead, speed,
147reliability, and robustness.
148.PP
149The following sections describe each transport protocol in more
150detail. They are sorted by overhead/efficiency, the most efficient
151transport is listed first:
146.Sh "\s-1RAW\s0 \s-1IP\s0" 152.SS "\s-1RAW\s0 \s-1IP\s0"
147.IX Subsection "RAW IP" 153.IX Subsection "RAW IP"
154This protocol is the best choice, performance-wise, as the minimum
155overhead per packet is only 38 bytes.
156.PP
157It works by sending the \s-1VPN\s0 payload using raw \s-1IP\s0 frames (using the
158protocol set by \f(CW\*(C`ip\-proto\*(C'\fR).
159.PP
160Using raw \s-1IP\s0 frames has the drawback that many firewalls block \*(L"unknown\*(R"
161protocols, so this transport only works if you have full \s-1IP\s0 connectivity
162between nodes.
148.Sh "\s-1ICMP\s0" 163.SS "\s-1ICMP\s0"
149.IX Subsection "ICMP" 164.IX Subsection "ICMP"
165This protocol offers very low overhead (minimum 42 bytes), and can
166sometimes tunnel through firewalls when other protocols can not.
167.PP
168It works by prepending an \s-1ICMP\s0 header with type \f(CW\*(C`icmp\-type\*(C'\fR and a code
169of \f(CW255\fR. The default \f(CW\*(C`icmp\-type\*(C'\fR is \f(CW\*(C`echo\-reply\*(C'\fR, so the resulting
170packets look like echo replies, which looks rather strange to network
171administrators.
172.PP
173This transport should only be used if other transports (i.e. raw \s-1IP\s0) are
174not available or undesirable (due to their overhead).
150.Sh "\s-1UDP\s0" 175.SS "\s-1UDP\s0"
151.IX Subsection "UDP" 176.IX Subsection "UDP"
177This is a good general choice for the transport protocol as \s-1UDP\s0 packets
178tunnel well through most firewalls and routers, and the overhead per
179packet is moderate (minimum 58 bytes).
180.PP
181It should be used if \s-1RAW\s0 \s-1IP\s0 is not available.
152.Sh "\s-1TCP\s0" 182.SS "\s-1TCP\s0"
153.IX Subsection "TCP" 183.IX Subsection "TCP"
184This protocol is a very bad choice, as it not only has high overhead (more
185than 60 bytes), but the transport also retries on it's own, which leads
186to congestion when the link has moderate packet loss (as both the \s-1TCP\s0
187transport and the tunneled traffic will retry, increasing congestion more
188and more). It also has high latency and is quite inefficient.
189.PP
190It's only useful when tunneling through firewalls that block better
191protocols. If a node doesn't have direct internet access but a \s-1HTTP\s0 proxy
192that supports the \s-1CONNECT\s0 method it can be used to tunnel through a web
193proxy. For this to work, the \f(CW\*(C`tcp\-port\*(C'\fR should be \f(CW443\fR (\f(CW\*(C`https\*(C'\fR), as
194most proxies do not allow connections to other ports.
195.PP
196It is an abuse of the usage a proxy was designed for, so make sure you are
197allowed to use it for \s-1GVPE\s0.
198.PP
199This protocol also has server and client sides. If the \f(CW\*(C`tcp\-port\*(C'\fR is
200set to zero, other nodes cannot connect to this node directly. If the
201\&\f(CW\*(C`tcp\-port\*(C'\fR is non-zero, the node can act both as a client as well as a
202server.
154.Sh "\s-1DNS\s0" 203.SS "\s-1DNS\s0"
155.IX Subsection "DNS" 204.IX Subsection "DNS"
205\&\fB\s-1WARNING:\s0\fR Parsing and generating \s-1DNS\s0 packets is rather tricky. The code
206almost certainly contains buffer overflows and other, likely exploitable,
207bugs. You have been warned.
208.PP
209This is the worst choice of transport protocol with respect to overhead
210(overhead can be 2\-3 times higher than the transferred data), and latency
211(which can be many seconds). Some \s-1DNS\s0 servers might not be prepared to
212handle the traffic and drop or corrupt packets. The client also has to
213constantly poll the server for data, so the client will constantly create
214traffic even if it doesn't need to transport packets.
215.PP
216In addition, the same problems as the \s-1TCP\s0 transport also plague this
217protocol.
218.PP
219Its only use is to tunnel through firewalls that do not allow direct
220internet access. Similar to using a \s-1HTTP\s0 proxy (as the \s-1TCP\s0 transport
221does), it uses a local \s-1DNS\s0 server/forwarder (given by the \f(CW\*(C`dns\-forw\-host\*(C'\fR
222configuration value) as a proxy to send and receive data as a client,
223and an \f(CW\*(C`NS\*(C'\fR record pointing to the \s-1GVPE\s0 server (as given by the
224\&\f(CW\*(C`dns\-hostname\*(C'\fR directive).
225.PP
226The only good side of this protocol is that it can tunnel through most
227firewalls mostly undetected, iff the local \s-1DNS\s0 server/forwarder is sane
228(which is true for most routers, wireless \s-1LAN\s0 gateways and nameservers).
229.PP
230Fine-tuning needs to be done by editing \f(CW\*(C`src/vpn_dns.C\*(C'\fR directly.
156.SH "PART 2: The GNU VPE protocol" 231.SH "PART 2: The GNU VPE protocol"
157.IX Header "PART 2: The GNU VPE protocol" 232.IX Header "PART 2: The GNU VPE protocol"
158This section, unfortunately, is not yet finished, although the protocol 233This section, unfortunately, is not yet finished, although the protocol
159is stable (until bugs in the cryptography are found, which will likely 234is stable (until bugs in the cryptography are found, which will likely
160completely change the following description). Nevertheless, it should give 235completely change the following description). Nevertheless, it should give
161you some overview over the protocol. 236you some overview over the protocol.
162.Sh "Anatomy of a \s-1VPN\s0 packet" 237.SS "Anatomy of a \s-1VPN\s0 packet"
163.IX Subsection "Anatomy of a VPN packet" 238.IX Subsection "Anatomy of a VPN packet"
164The exact layout and field lengths of a \s-1VPN\s0 packet is determined at 239The exact layout and field lengths of a \s-1VPN\s0 packet is determined at
165compiletime and doesn't change. The same structure is used for all 240compile time and doesn't change. The same structure is used for all
166transort protocols, be it \s-1RAWIP\s0 or \s-1TCP\s0. 241transport protocols, be it \s-1RAWIP\s0 or \s-1TCP\s0.
167.PP 242.PP
168.Vb 3 243.Vb 3
169\& +------+------+--------+------+ 244\& +\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+
170\& | HMAC | TYPE | SRCDST | DATA | 245\& | HMAC | TYPE | SRCDST | DATA |
171\& +------+------+--------+------+ 246\& +\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+
172.Ve 247.Ve
173.PP 248.PP
174The \s-1HMAC\s0 field is present in all packets, even if not used (e.g. in auth 249The \s-1HMAC\s0 field is present in all packets, even if not used (e.g. in auth
175request packets), in which case it is set to all zeroes. The checksum 250request packets), in which case it is set to all zeroes. The checksum
176itself is calculated over the \s-1TYPE\s0, \s-1SRCDST\s0 and \s-1DATA\s0 fields in all cases. 251itself is calculated over the \s-1TYPE\s0, \s-1SRCDST\s0 and \s-1DATA\s0 fields in all cases.
178The \s-1TYPE\s0 field is a single byte and determines the purpose of the packet 253The \s-1TYPE\s0 field is a single byte and determines the purpose of the packet
179(e.g. \s-1RESET\s0, \s-1COMPRESSED/UNCOMPRESSED\s0 \s-1DATA\s0, \s-1PING\s0, \s-1AUTH\s0 \s-1REQUEST/RESPONSE\s0, 254(e.g. \s-1RESET\s0, \s-1COMPRESSED/UNCOMPRESSED\s0 \s-1DATA\s0, \s-1PING\s0, \s-1AUTH\s0 \s-1REQUEST/RESPONSE\s0,
180\&\s-1CONNECT\s0 \s-1REQUEST/INFO\s0 etc.). 255\&\s-1CONNECT\s0 \s-1REQUEST/INFO\s0 etc.).
181.PP 256.PP
182\&\s-1SRCDST\s0 is a three byte field which contains the source and destination 257\&\s-1SRCDST\s0 is a three byte field which contains the source and destination
183node ids (12 bits each). The protocol does not yet scale well beyond 30+ 258node IDs (12 bits each).
184hosts, since all hosts must connect to each other once on startup. But if
185restarts are rare or tolerable and most connections are on demand, much
186larger networks are feasible.
187.PP 259.PP
188The \s-1DATA\s0 portion differs between each packet type, naturally, and is the 260The \s-1DATA\s0 portion differs between each packet type, naturally, and is the
189only part that can be encrypted. Data packets contain more fields, as 261only part that can be encrypted. Data packets contain more fields, as
190shown: 262shown:
191.PP 263.PP
192.Vb 3 264.Vb 3
193\& +------+------+--------+------+-------+------+ 265\& +\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+
194\& | HMAC | TYPE | SRCDST | RAND | SEQNO | DATA | 266\& | HMAC | TYPE | SRCDST | RAND | SEQNO | DATA |
195\& +------+------+--------+------+-------+------+ 267\& +\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+
196.Ve 268.Ve
197.PP 269.PP
198\&\s-1RAND\s0 is a sequence of fully random bytes, used to increase the entropy of 270\&\s-1RAND\s0 is a sequence of fully random bytes, used to increase the entropy of
199the data for encryption purposes. 271the data for encryption purposes.
200.PP 272.PP
201\&\s-1SEQNO\s0 is a 32\-bit sequence number. It is negotiated at every connection 273\&\s-1SEQNO\s0 is a 32\-bit sequence number. It is negotiated at every connection
202initialization and starts at some random 31 bit value. \s-1VPE\s0 currently uses 274initialization and starts at some random 31 bit value. \s-1VPE\s0 currently uses
203a sliding window of 512 packets/sequence numbers to detect reordering, 275a sliding window of 512 packets/sequence numbers to detect reordering,
204duplication and reply attacks. 276duplication and replay attacks.
277.PP
278The encryption is done on \s-1RAND+SEQNO+DATA\s0 in \s-1CBC\s0 mode with zero \s-1IV\s0 (or,
279equivalently, the \s-1IV\s0 is \s-1RAND+SEQNO\s0, encrypted with the block cipher,
280unless \s-1RAND\s0 size is decreased or increased over the default value).
205.Sh "The authentification protocol" 281.SS "The authentication protocol"
206.IX Subsection "The authentification protocol" 282.IX Subsection "The authentication protocol"
207Before hosts can exchange packets, they need to establish authenticity of 283Before nodes can exchange packets, they need to establish authenticity of
208the other side and a key. Every host has a private \s-1RSA\s0 key and the public 284the other side and a key. Every node has a private \s-1RSA\s0 key and the public
209\&\s-1RSA\s0 keys of all other hosts. 285\&\s-1RSA\s0 keys of all other nodes.
210.PP 286.PP
211A host establishes a simplex connection by sending the other host a 287A host establishes a simplex connection by sending the other node an \s-1RSA\s0
212\&\s-1RSA\s0 encrypted challenge containing a random challenge (consisting of 288encrypted challenge containing a random challenge (consisting of the
213the encryption key to use when sending packets, more random data and 289encryption and authentication keys to use when sending packets, more
214\&\s-1PKCS1_OAEP\s0 padding) and a random 16 byte \*(L"challenge\-id\*(R" (used to detect 290random data and \s-1PKCS1_OAEP\s0 padding) and a random 16 byte \*(L"challenge-id\*(R"
215duplicate auth packets). The destination host will respond by replying 291(used to detect duplicate auth packets). The destination node will respond
216with an (unencrypted) \s-1RIPEMD160\s0 hash of the decrypted challenge, which 292by replying with an (unencrypted) hash of the decrypted challenge, which
217will authentify that host. The destination host will also set the outgoing 293will authenticate that node. The destination node will also set the
218encryption parameters as given in the packet. 294outgoing encryption parameters as given in the packet.
219.PP 295.PP
220When the source host receives a correct auth reply (by verifying the 296When the source node receives a correct auth reply (by verifying the
221hash and the id, which will expire after 120 seconds), it will start to 297hash and the id, which will expire after 120 seconds), it will start to
222accept data packets from the destination host. 298accept data packets from the destination node.
223.PP 299.PP
224This means that a host can only initate a simplex connection, telling the 300This means that a node can only initiate a simplex connection, telling the
225other side the key it has to use when it sends packets. The challenge 301other side the key it has to use when it sends packets. The challenge
226reply is only used to set the current \s-1IP\s0 address of the other side and 302reply is only used to set the current \s-1IP\s0 address of the other side and
227protocol parameters. 303protocol parameters.
228.PP 304.PP
229This protocol is completely symmetric, so to be able to send packets the 305This protocol is completely symmetric, so to be able to send packets the
230destination host must send a challenge in the exact same way as already 306destination node must send a challenge in the exact same way as already
231described (so, in essence, two simplex connections are created per host 307described (so, in essence, two simplex connections are created per node
232pair). 308pair).
233.Sh "Retrying" 309.SS "Retrying"
234.IX Subsection "Retrying" 310.IX Subsection "Retrying"
235When there is no response to an auth request, the host will send auth 311When there is no response to an auth request, the node will send auth
236requests in bursts with an exponential backoff. After some time it will 312requests in bursts with an exponential back-off. After some time it will
237resort to \s-1PING\s0 packets, which are very small (8 bytes) and lightweight 313resort to \s-1PING\s0 packets, which are very small (8 bytes + protocol header)
238(no \s-1RSA\s0 operations required). A host that receives ping requests from an 314and lightweight (no \s-1RSA\s0 operations required). A node that receives ping
239unconnected peer will respond by trying to create a connection. 315requests from an unconnected peer will respond by trying to create a
316connection.
240.PP 317.PP
241In addition to the exponential backoff, there is a global rate-limit on 318In addition to the exponential back-off, there is a global rate-limit on
242a per-IP base. It allows long bursts but will limit total packet rate to 319a per-IP base. It allows long bursts but will limit total packet rate to
243something like one control packet every ten seconds, to avoid accidental 320something like one control packet every ten seconds, to avoid accidental
244floods due to protocol problems (like a \s-1RSA\s0 key file mismatch between two 321floods due to protocol problems (like a \s-1RSA\s0 key file mismatch between two
245hosts). 322nodes).
323.PP
324The intervals between retries are limited by the \f(CW\*(C`max\-retry\*(C'\fR
325configuration value. A node with \f(CW\*(C`connect\*(C'\fR = \f(CW\*(C`always\*(C'\fR will always retry,
326a node with \f(CW\*(C`connect\*(C'\fR = \f(CW\*(C`ondemand\*(C'\fR will only try (and re-try) to connect
327as long as there are packets in the queue, usually this limits the retry
328period to \f(CW\*(C`max\-ttl\*(C'\fR seconds.
329.PP
330Sending packets over the \s-1VPN\s0 will reset the retry intervals as well, which
331means as long as somebody is trying to send packets to a given node, \s-1GVPE\s0
332will try to connect every few seconds.
246.Sh "Routing and Protocol translation" 333.SS "Routing and Protocol translation"
247.IX Subsection "Routing and Protocol translation" 334.IX Subsection "Routing and Protocol translation"
248The gvpe routing algorithm is easy: there isn't any routing. \s-1GVPE\s0 always 335The \s-1GVPE\s0 routing algorithm is easy: there isn't much routing to speak
249tries to establish direct connections, if the protocol abilities of the 336of: When routing packets to another node, \s-1GVPE\s0 tries the following
250two hosts allow it. 337options, in order:
251.PP 338.IP "If the two nodes should be able to reach each other directly (common protocol, port known), then \s-1GVPE\s0 will send the packet directly to the other node." 4
252If the two hosts should be able to reach each other (common protocol, ip 339.IX Item "If the two nodes should be able to reach each other directly (common protocol, port known), then GVPE will send the packet directly to the other node."
253and port all known), but cannot (network down), then there will be no 340.PD 0
254connection, point. 341.ie n .IP "If this isn't possible (e.g. because the node doesn't have a \*(C`hostname\*(C' or known port), but the nodes speak a common protocol and a router is available, then \s-1GVPE\s0 will ask a router to ""mediate"" between both nodes (see below)." 4
342.el .IP "If this isn't possible (e.g. because the node doesn't have a \f(CW\*(C`hostname\*(C'\fR or known port), but the nodes speak a common protocol and a router is available, then \s-1GVPE\s0 will ask a router to ``mediate'' between both nodes (see below)." 4
343.IX Item "If this isn't possible (e.g. because the node doesn't have a hostname or known port), but the nodes speak a common protocol and a router is available, then GVPE will ask a router to mediate between both nodes (see below)."
344.ie n .IP "If a direct connection isn't possible (no common protocols) or forbidden (\*(C`deny\-direct\*(C') and there are any routers, then \s-1GVPE\s0 will try to send packets to the router with the highest priority that is connected already \fIand\fR is able (as specified by the config file) to connect directly to the target node." 4
345.el .IP "If a direct connection isn't possible (no common protocols) or forbidden (\f(CW\*(C`deny\-direct\*(C'\fR) and there are any routers, then \s-1GVPE\s0 will try to send packets to the router with the highest priority that is connected already \fIand\fR is able (as specified by the config file) to connect directly to the target node." 4
346.IX Item "If a direct connection isn't possible (no common protocols) or forbidden (deny-direct) and there are any routers, then GVPE will try to send packets to the router with the highest priority that is connected already and is able (as specified by the config file) to connect directly to the target node."
347.IP "If no such router exists, then \s-1GVPE\s0 will simply send the packet to the node with the highest priority available." 4
348.IX Item "If no such router exists, then GVPE will simply send the packet to the node with the highest priority available."
349.IP "Failing all that, the packet will be dropped." 4
350.IX Item "Failing all that, the packet will be dropped."
351.PD
255.PP 352.PP
256A host can usually declare itself unreachable directly by setting it's 353A host can usually declare itself unreachable directly by setting it's
257port number(s) to zero. It can declare other hosts as unreachable by using 354port number(s) to zero. It can declare other hosts as unreachable by using
258a config-file that disables all protocols for these other hosts. 355a config-file that disables all protocols for these other hosts. Another
356option is to disable all protocols on that host in the other config files.
259.PP 357.PP
260If two hosts cannot connect to each other because their \s-1IP\s0 address(es) 358If two hosts cannot connect to each other because their \s-1IP\s0 address(es)
261are not known (such as dialup hosts), one side will send a connection 359are not known (such as dial-up hosts), one side will send a \fImediated\fR
262request to a router (routers must be configured to act as routers!), which 360connection request to a router (routers must be configured to act as
263will send both the originating and the destination host a connection info 361routers!), which will send both the originating and the destination host
264request with protocol information and \s-1IP\s0 address of the other host (if 362a connection info request with protocol information and \s-1IP\s0 address of the
265known). Both hosts will then try to establish a connection to the other 363other host (if known). Both hosts will then try to establish a direct
266peer, which is usually possible even when both hosts are behind a \s-1NAT\s0 364connection to the other peer, which is usually possible even when both
267gateway. 365hosts are behind a \s-1NAT\s0 gateway.
268.PP 366.PP
269If the hosts cannot reach each other because they have no common protocol, 367Routing via other nodes works because the \s-1SRCDST\s0 field is not encrypted,
270the originator instead use the router with highest priority and matching
271protocol as peer. Since the \s-1SRCDST\s0 field is not encrypted, the router host
272can just forward the packet to the destination host. Since each host uses 368so the router can just forward the packet to the destination host. Since
273it's own private key, the router will not be able to decrypt or encrypt 369each host uses it's own private key, the router will not be able to
274packets, it will just act as a simple router and protocol translator. 370decrypt or encrypt packets, it will just act as a simple router and
275.PP 371protocol translator.
276When no router is connected, the host will aggressively try to connect to
277all routers, and if a router is asked for an unconnected host it will try
278to ask another router to establish the connection.
279.PP
280\&... more not yet written about the details of the routing, please bug me
281\&...

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