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131.IX Title "GVPE.PROTOCOL 7" 131.IX Title "GVPE.PROTOCOL 7"
132.TH GVPE.PROTOCOL 7 "2005-03-15" "1.8" "GNU Virtual Private Ethernet" 132.TH GVPE.PROTOCOL 7 "2008-08-10" "2.2" "GNU Virtual Private Ethernet"
133.SH "The GNU-VPE Protocols" 133.SH "The GNU-VPE Protocols"
134.IX Header "The GNU-VPE Protocols" 134.IX Header "The GNU-VPE Protocols"
135.SH "Overview" 135.SH "Overview"
136.IX Header "Overview" 136.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 137\&\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 139packets. This protocol is described in more detail the second part of this
140document. 140document.
141.PP 141.PP
142The first part of this document describes the transport protocols which 142The 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. 143are used by \s-1GVPE\s0 to send it's data packets over the network.
144.SH "PART 1: Tansport protocols" 144.SH "PART 1: Transport protocols"
145.IX Header "PART 1: Tansport protocols" 145.IX Header "PART 1: Transport protocols"
146\&\s-1GVPE\s0 offers a wide range of transport protocols that can be used to
147interchange data between nodes. Protocols differ in their overhead, speed,
148reliability, and robustness.
149.PP
150The following sections describe each transport protocol in more
151detail. They are sorted by overhead/efficiency, the most efficient
152transport is listed first:
146.Sh "\s-1RAW\s0 \s-1IP\s0" 153.Sh "\s-1RAW\s0 \s-1IP\s0"
147.IX Subsection "RAW IP" 154.IX Subsection "RAW IP"
155This protocol is the best choice, performance\-wise, as the minimum
156overhead per packet is only 38 bytes.
157.PP
158It works by sending the \s-1VPN\s0 payload using raw ip frames (using the
159protocol set by \f(CW\*(C`ip\-proto\*(C'\fR).
160.PP
161Using raw ip frames has the drawback that many firewalls block \*(L"unknown\*(R"
162protocols, so this transport only works if you have full \s-1IP\s0 connectivity
163between nodes.
148.Sh "\s-1ICMP\s0" 164.Sh "\s-1ICMP\s0"
149.IX Subsection "ICMP" 165.IX Subsection "ICMP"
166This protocol offers very low overhead (minimum 42 bytes), and can
167sometimes tunnel through firewalls when other protocols can not.
168.PP
169It works by prepending an \s-1ICMP\s0 header with type \f(CW\*(C`icmp\-type\*(C'\fR and a code
170of \f(CW255\fR. The default \f(CW\*(C`icmp\-type\*(C'\fR is \f(CW\*(C`echo\-reply\*(C'\fR, so the resulting
171packets look like echo replies, which looks rather strange to network
172admins.
173.PP
174This transport should only be used if other transports (i.e. raw ip) are
175not available or undesirable (due to their overhead).
150.Sh "\s-1UDP\s0" 176.Sh "\s-1UDP\s0"
151.IX Subsection "UDP" 177.IX Subsection "UDP"
178This is a good general choice for the transport protocol as \s-1UDP\s0 packets
179tunnel well through most firewalls and routers, and the overhead per
180packet is moderate (minimum 58 bytes).
181.PP
182It should be used if \s-1RAW\s0 \s-1IP\s0 is not available.
152.Sh "\s-1TCP\s0" 183.Sh "\s-1TCP\s0"
153.IX Subsection "TCP" 184.IX Subsection "TCP"
185This protocol is a very bad choice, as it not only has high overhead (more
186than 60 bytes), but the transport also retries on it's own, which leads
187to congestion when the link has moderate packet loss (as both the \s-1TCP\s0
188transport and the tunneled traffic will retry, increasing congestion more
189and more). It also has high latency and is quite inefficient.
190.PP
191It's only useful when tunneling through firewalls that block better
192protocols. If a node doesn't have direct internet access but a \s-1HTTP\s0 proxy
193that supports the \s-1CONNECT\s0 method it can be used to tunnel through a web
194proxy. For this to work, the \f(CW\*(C`tcp\-port\*(C'\fR should be \f(CW443\fR (\f(CW\*(C`https\*(C'\fR), as
195most proxies do not allow connections to other ports.
196.PP
197It is an abuse of the usage a proxy was designed for, so make sure you are
198allowed to use it for \s-1GVPE\s0.
199.PP
200This protocol also has server and client sides. If the \f(CW\*(C`tcp\-port\*(C'\fR is
201set to zero, other nodes cannot connect to this node directly. If the
202\&\f(CW\*(C`tcp\-port\*(C'\fR is non\-zero, the node can act both as a client as well as a
203server.
154.Sh "\s-1DNS\s0" 204.Sh "\s-1DNS\s0"
155.IX Subsection "DNS" 205.IX Subsection "DNS"
206\&\fB\s-1WARNING:\s0\fR Parsing and generating \s-1DNS\s0 packets is rather tricky. The code
207almost certainly contains buffer overflows and other, likely exploitable,
208bugs. You have been warned.
209.PP
210This is the worst choice of transport protocol with respect to overhead
211(overhead can be 2\-3 times higher than the transferred data), and latency
212(which can be many seconds). Some \s-1DNS\s0 servers might not be prepared to
213handle the traffic and drop or corrupt packets. The client also has to
214constantly poll the server for data, so the client will constantly create
215traffic even if it doesn't need to transport packets.
216.PP
217In addition, the same problems as the \s-1TCP\s0 transport also plague this
218protocol.
219.PP
220It's only use is to tunnel through firewalls that do not allow direct
221internet access. Similar to using a \s-1HTTP\s0 proxy (as the \s-1TCP\s0 transport
222does), it uses a local \s-1DNS\s0 server/forwarder (given by the \f(CW\*(C`dns\-forw\-host\*(C'\fR
223configuration value) as a proxy to send and receive data as a client,
224and an \f(CW\*(C`NS\*(C'\fR record pointing to the \s-1GVPE\s0 server (as given by the
225\&\f(CW\*(C`dns\-hostname\*(C'\fR directive).
226.PP
227The only good side of this protocol is that it can tunnel through most
228firewalls mostly undetected, iff the local \s-1DNS\s0 server/forwarder is sane
229(which is true for most routers, \s-1WLAN\s0 gateways and nameservers).
230.PP
231Finetuning needs to be done by editing \f(CW\*(C`src/vpn_dns.C\*(C'\fR directly.
156.SH "PART 2: The GNU VPE protocol" 232.SH "PART 2: The GNU VPE protocol"
157.IX Header "PART 2: The GNU VPE protocol" 233.IX Header "PART 2: The GNU VPE protocol"
158This section, unfortunately, is not yet finished, although the protocol 234This section, unfortunately, is not yet finished, although the protocol
159is stable (until bugs in the cryptography are found, which will likely 235is stable (until bugs in the cryptography are found, which will likely
160completely change the following description). Nevertheless, it should give 236completely change the following description). Nevertheless, it should give
164The exact layout and field lengths of a \s-1VPN\s0 packet is determined at 240The 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 241compiletime and doesn't change. The same structure is used for all
166transort protocols, be it \s-1RAWIP\s0 or \s-1TCP\s0. 242transort protocols, be it \s-1RAWIP\s0 or \s-1TCP\s0.
167.PP 243.PP
168.Vb 3 244.Vb 3
169\& +------+------+--------+------+ 245\& +\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+
170\& | HMAC | TYPE | SRCDST | DATA | 246\& | HMAC | TYPE | SRCDST | DATA |
171\& +------+------+--------+------+ 247\& +\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+
172.Ve 248.Ve
173.PP 249.PP
174The \s-1HMAC\s0 field is present in all packets, even if not used (e.g. in auth 250The \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 251request 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. 252itself 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 254The \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, 255(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.). 256\&\s-1CONNECT\s0 \s-1REQUEST/INFO\s0 etc.).
181.PP 257.PP
182\&\s-1SRCDST\s0 is a three byte field which contains the source and destination 258\&\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+ 259node 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 260.PP
188The \s-1DATA\s0 portion differs between each packet type, naturally, and is the 261The \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 262only part that can be encrypted. Data packets contain more fields, as
190shown: 263shown:
191.PP 264.PP
192.Vb 3 265.Vb 3
193\& +------+------+--------+------+-------+------+ 266\& +\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+
194\& | HMAC | TYPE | SRCDST | RAND | SEQNO | DATA | 267\& | HMAC | TYPE | SRCDST | RAND | SEQNO | DATA |
195\& +------+------+--------+------+-------+------+ 268\& +\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+
196.Ve 269.Ve
197.PP 270.PP
198\&\s-1RAND\s0 is a sequence of fully random bytes, used to increase the entropy of 271\&\s-1RAND\s0 is a sequence of fully random bytes, used to increase the entropy of
199the data for encryption purposes. 272the data for encryption purposes.
200.PP 273.PP
201\&\s-1SEQNO\s0 is a 32\-bit sequence number. It is negotiated at every connection 274\&\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 275initialization and starts at some random 31 bit value. \s-1VPE\s0 currently uses
203a sliding window of 512 packets/sequence numbers to detect reordering, 276a sliding window of 512 packets/sequence numbers to detect reordering,
204duplication and reply attacks. 277duplication and replay attacks.
205.Sh "The authentification protocol" 278.Sh "The authentication protocol"
206.IX Subsection "The authentification protocol" 279.IX Subsection "The authentication protocol"
207Before hosts can exchange packets, they need to establish authenticity of 280Before hosts 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 281the other side and a key. Every host has a private \s-1RSA\s0 key and the public
209\&\s-1RSA\s0 keys of all other hosts. 282\&\s-1RSA\s0 keys of all other hosts.
210.PP 283.PP
211A host establishes a simplex connection by sending the other host a 284A host establishes a simplex connection by sending the other host an
212\&\s-1RSA\s0 encrypted challenge containing a random challenge (consisting of 285\&\s-1RSA\s0 encrypted challenge containing a random challenge (consisting of
213the encryption key to use when sending packets, more random data and 286the encryption key to use when sending packets, more random data and
214\&\s-1PKCS1_OAEP\s0 padding) and a random 16 byte \*(L"challenge\-id\*(R" (used to detect 287\&\s-1PKCS1_OAEP\s0 padding) and a random 16 byte \*(L"challenge\-id\*(R" (used to detect
215duplicate auth packets). The destination host will respond by replying 288duplicate auth packets). The destination host will respond by replying
216with an (unencrypted) \s-1RIPEMD160\s0 hash of the decrypted challenge, which 289with an (unencrypted) \s-1RIPEMD160\s0 hash of the decrypted challenge, which
217will authentify that host. The destination host will also set the outgoing 290will authenticate that host. The destination host will also set the
218encryption parameters as given in the packet. 291outgoing encryption parameters as given in the packet.
219.PP 292.PP
220When the source host receives a correct auth reply (by verifying the 293When the source host receives a correct auth reply (by verifying the
221hash and the id, which will expire after 120 seconds), it will start to 294hash and the id, which will expire after 120 seconds), it will start to
222accept data packets from the destination host. 295accept data packets from the destination host.
223.PP 296.PP
232pair). 305pair).
233.Sh "Retrying" 306.Sh "Retrying"
234.IX Subsection "Retrying" 307.IX Subsection "Retrying"
235When there is no response to an auth request, the host will send auth 308When there is no response to an auth request, the host will send auth
236requests in bursts with an exponential backoff. After some time it will 309requests in bursts with an exponential backoff. After some time it will
237resort to \s-1PING\s0 packets, which are very small (8 bytes) and lightweight 310resort 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 311and lightweight (no \s-1RSA\s0 operations required). A host that receives ping
239unconnected peer will respond by trying to create a connection. 312requests from an unconnected peer will respond by trying to create a
313connection.
240.PP 314.PP
241In addition to the exponential backoff, there is a global rate-limit on 315In addition to the exponential backoff, there is a global rate-limit on
242a per-IP base. It allows long bursts but will limit total packet rate to 316a 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 317something 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 318floods due to protocol problems (like a \s-1RSA\s0 key file mismatch between two
245hosts). 319hosts).
320.PP
321The intervals between retries are limited by the \f(CW\*(C`max\-retry\*(C'\fR
322configuration value. A node with \f(CW\*(C`connect\*(C'\fR = \f(CW\*(C`always\*(C'\fR will always retry,
323a node with \f(CW\*(C`connect\*(C'\fR = \f(CW\*(C`ondemand\*(C'\fR will only try (and re\-try) to connect
324as long as there are packets in the queue, usually this limits the retry
325period to \f(CW\*(C`max\-ttl\*(C'\fR seconds.
326.PP
327Sending packets over the \s-1VPN\s0 will reset the retry intervals as well, which
328means as long as somebody is trying to send packets to a given node, \s-1GVPE\s0
329will try to connect every few seconds.
246.Sh "Routing and Protocol translation" 330.Sh "Routing and Protocol translation"
247.IX Subsection "Routing and Protocol translation" 331.IX Subsection "Routing and Protocol translation"
248The gvpe routing algorithm is easy: there isn't any routing. \s-1GVPE\s0 always 332The \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 333of: When routing packets to another node, \s-1GVPE\s0 trues the following
250two hosts allow it. 334options, in order:
251.PP 335.IP "If the two hosts 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 336.IX Item "If the two hosts 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 337.PD 0
254connection, point. 338.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
339.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
340.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)."
341.ie n .IP "If a direct connection isn't possible (no common protocols) or forbidden (\*(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 is able (as specified by the config file) to connect directly to the target node." 4
342.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
343.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."
344.IP "If no such router exists, then \s-1GVPE\s0 will simply send the packet to the node with the highest priority available." 4
345.IX Item "If no such router exists, then GVPE will simply send the packet to the node with the highest priority available."
346.IP "Failing all that, the packet will be dropped." 4
347.IX Item "Failing all that, the packet will be dropped."
348.PD
255.PP 349.PP
256A host can usually declare itself unreachable directly by setting it's 350A 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 351port number(s) to zero. It can declare other hosts as unreachable by using
258a config-file that disables all protocols for these other hosts. 352a config-file that disables all protocols for these other hosts. Another
353option is to disable all protocols on that host in the other config files.
259.PP 354.PP
260If two hosts cannot connect to each other because their \s-1IP\s0 address(es) 355If 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 356are not known (such as dialup hosts), one side will send a \fImediated\fR
262request to a router (routers must be configured to act as routers!), which 357connection request to a router (routers must be configured to act as
263will send both the originating and the destination host a connection info 358routers!), which will send both the originating and the destination host
264request with protocol information and \s-1IP\s0 address of the other host (if 359a 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 360other 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 361connection to the other peer, which is usually possible even when both
267gateway. 362hosts are behind a \s-1NAT\s0 gateway.
268.PP 363.PP
269If the hosts cannot reach each other because they have no common protocol, 364Routing 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 365so 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 366each 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. 367decrypt or encrypt packets, it will just act as a simple router and
275.PP 368protocol 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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