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129.\" ======================================================================== 133.\" ========================================================================
130.\" 134.\"
131.IX Title "GVPE.PROTOCOL 7" 135.IX Title "GVPE.PROTOCOL 7"
132.TH GVPE.PROTOCOL 7 "2005-04-21" "1.9" "GNU Virtual Private Ethernet" 136.TH GVPE.PROTOCOL 7 "2015-01-29" "2.25" "GNU Virtual Private Ethernet"
137.\" For nroff, turn off justification. Always turn off hyphenation; it makes
138.\" way too many mistakes in technical documents.
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140.nh
133.SH "The GNU-VPE Protocols" 141.SH "The GNU-VPE Protocols"
134.IX Header "The GNU-VPE Protocols" 142.IX Header "The GNU-VPE Protocols"
135.SH "Overview" 143.SH "Overview"
136.IX Header "Overview" 144.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 145\&\s-1GVPE\s0 can make use of a number of protocols. One of them is the \s-1GNU VPE\s0
138protocol which is used to authenticate tunnels and send encrypted data 146protocol which is used to authenticate tunnels and send encrypted data
139packets. This protocol is described in more detail the second part of this 147packets. This protocol is described in more detail the second part of this
140document. 148document.
141.PP 149.PP
142The first part of this document describes the transport protocols which 150The 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. 151are used by \s-1GVPE\s0 to send its data packets over the network.
144.SH "PART 1: Transport protocols" 152.SH "PART 1: Transport protocols"
145.IX Header "PART 1: Transport protocols" 153.IX Header "PART 1: Transport protocols"
146\&\s-1GVPE\s0 offers a range of transport protocols that can be used to interchange 154\&\s-1GVPE\s0 offers a wide range of transport protocols that can be used to
147data between nodes. Protocols differ in their overhead, speed, 155interchange data between nodes. Protocols differ in their overhead, speed,
148reliability, and robustness. 156reliability, and robustness.
149.PP 157.PP
150The following sections describe each transport protocol in more 158The following sections describe each transport protocol in more
151detail. They are sorted by overhead/efficiency, the most efficient 159detail. They are sorted by overhead/efficiency, the most efficient
152transport is listed first: 160transport is listed first:
153.Sh "\s-1RAW\s0 \s-1IP\s0" 161.SS "\s-1RAW IP\s0"
154.IX Subsection "RAW IP" 162.IX Subsection "RAW IP"
155This protocol is the best choice, performance\-wise, as the minimum 163This protocol is the best choice, performance-wise, as the minimum
156overhead per packet is only 38 bytes. 164overhead per packet is only 38 bytes.
157.PP 165.PP
158It works by sending the \s-1VPN\s0 payload using raw ip frames (using the 166It works by sending the \s-1VPN\s0 payload using raw \s-1IP\s0 frames (using the
159protocol set by \f(CW\*(C`ip\-proto\*(C'\fR). 167protocol set by \f(CW\*(C`ip\-proto\*(C'\fR).
160.PP 168.PP
161Using raw ip frames has the drawback that many firewalls block \*(L"unknown\*(R" 169Using raw \s-1IP\s0 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 170protocols, so this transport only works if you have full \s-1IP\s0 connectivity
163between nodes. 171between nodes.
164.Sh "\s-1ICMP\s0" 172.SS "\s-1ICMP\s0"
165.IX Subsection "ICMP" 173.IX Subsection "ICMP"
166This protocol offers very low overhead (minimum 42 bytes), and can 174This protocol offers very low overhead (minimum 42 bytes), and can
167sometimes tunnel through firewalls when other protocols cannot. 175sometimes tunnel through firewalls when other protocols can not.
168.PP 176.PP
169It works by prepending a \s-1ICMP\s0 header with type \f(CW\*(C`icmp\-type\*(C'\fR and a code 177It 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 178of \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 179packets look like echo replies, which looks rather strange to network
172admins. 180administrators.
173.PP 181.PP
174This transport should only be used if other transports (i.e. raw ip) are 182This transport should only be used if other transports (i.e. raw \s-1IP\s0) are
175not available or undesirable (due to their overhead). 183not available or undesirable (due to their overhead).
176.Sh "\s-1UDP\s0" 184.SS "\s-1UDP\s0"
177.IX Subsection "UDP" 185.IX Subsection "UDP"
178This is a good general choice for the transport protocol as \s-1UDP\s0 packets 186This 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 187tunnel well through most firewalls and routers, and the overhead per
180packet is moderate (minimum 58 bytes). 188packet is moderate (minimum 58 bytes).
181.PP 189.PP
182It should be used if \s-1RAW\s0 \s-1IP\s0 is not available. 190It should be used if \s-1RAW IP\s0 is not available.
183.Sh "\s-1TCP\s0" 191.SS "\s-1TCP\s0"
184.IX Subsection "TCP" 192.IX Subsection "TCP"
185This protocol is a very bad choice, as it not only has high overhead (more 193This 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 194than 60 bytes), but the transport also retries on its own, which leads
187to congestion when the link has moderate packet loss (as both the \s-1TCP\s0 195to congestion when the link has moderate packet loss (as both the \s-1TCP\s0
188transport and the tunneled traffic will retry, increasing congestion more 196transport and the tunneled traffic will retry, increasing congestion more
189and more). It also has high latency and is quite inefficient. 197and more). It also has high latency and is quite inefficient.
190.PP 198.PP
191It's only useful when tunneling through firewalls that block better 199It's only useful when tunneling through firewalls that block better
193that supports the \s-1CONNECT\s0 method it can be used to tunnel through a web 201that 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 202proxy. 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. 203most proxies do not allow connections to other ports.
196.PP 204.PP
197It is an abuse of the usage a proxy was designed for, so make sure you are 205It is an abuse of the usage a proxy was designed for, so make sure you are
198allowed to use it for \s-1GVPE\s0. 206allowed to use it for \s-1GVPE.\s0
199.PP 207.PP
200This protocol also has server and client sides. If the \f(CW\*(C`tcp\-port\*(C'\fR is set 208This protocol also has server and client sides. If the \f(CW\*(C`tcp\-port\*(C'\fR is
201to zero, other nodes cannot connect to this node directly (and \f(CW\*(C`tcp\-port\*(C'\fR 209set to zero, other nodes cannot connect to this node directly. If the
202zero cannot be used). If the \f(CW\*(C`tcp\-port\*(C'\fR is non\-zero, the node can act 210\&\f(CW\*(C`tcp\-port\*(C'\fR is non-zero, the node can act both as a client as well as a
203both as a client as well as a server. 211server.
204.Sh "\s-1DNS\s0" 212.SS "\s-1DNS\s0"
205.IX Subsection "DNS" 213.IX Subsection "DNS"
206\&\fB\s-1WARNING:\s0\fR Parsing and generating \s-1DNS\s0 packets is rather tricky. The code 214\&\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, 215almost certainly contains buffer overflows and other, likely exploitable,
208bugs. You have been warned. 216bugs. You have been warned.
209.PP 217.PP
215traffic even if it doesn't need to transport packets. 223traffic even if it doesn't need to transport packets.
216.PP 224.PP
217In addition, the same problems as the \s-1TCP\s0 transport also plague this 225In addition, the same problems as the \s-1TCP\s0 transport also plague this
218protocol. 226protocol.
219.PP 227.PP
220Most configuration needs to be done by editing \f(CW\*(C`src/vpn_dns.C\*(C'\fR directly.
221.PP
222It's only use is to tunnel through firewalls that do not allow direct 228Its only use is to tunnel through firewalls that do not allow direct
223internet access. Similar to using a \s-1HTTP\s0 proxy (as the \s-1TCP\s0 transport 229internet access. Similar to using a \s-1HTTP\s0 proxy (as the \s-1TCP\s0 transport
224does), it uses a local \s-1DNS\s0 server/forwarder (given by the \f(CW\*(C`dns\-forw\-host\*(C'\fR 230does), it uses a local \s-1DNS\s0 server/forwarder (given by the \f(CW\*(C`dns\-forw\-host\*(C'\fR
225configuration value) as a proxy to send and receive data as a client, 231configuration value) as a proxy to send and receive data as a client,
226and a \f(CW\*(C`NS\*(C'\fR record pointing to the \s-1GVPE\s0 server (as given by the 232and an \f(CW\*(C`NS\*(C'\fR record pointing to the \s-1GVPE\s0 server (as given by the
227\&\f(CW\*(C`dns\-hostname\*(C'\fR directive). 233\&\f(CW\*(C`dns\-hostname\*(C'\fR directive).
228.PP 234.PP
229The only good side of this protocol is that it can tunnel through most 235The only good side of this protocol is that it can tunnel through most
230firewalls undetected, iff the local \s-1DNS\s0 server/forwarder is sane (which is 236firewalls mostly undetected, iff the local \s-1DNS\s0 server/forwarder is sane
231true for most routers, wlan gateways and nameservers). 237(which is true for most routers, wireless \s-1LAN\s0 gateways and nameservers).
238.PP
239Fine-tuning needs to be done by editing \f(CW\*(C`src/vpn_dns.C\*(C'\fR directly.
232.SH "PART 2: The GNU VPE protocol" 240.SH "PART 2: The GNU VPE protocol"
233.IX Header "PART 2: The GNU VPE protocol" 241.IX Header "PART 2: The GNU VPE protocol"
234This section, unfortunately, is not yet finished, although the protocol 242This section, unfortunately, is not yet finished, although the protocol
235is stable (until bugs in the cryptography are found, which will likely 243is stable (until bugs in the cryptography are found, which will likely
236completely change the following description). Nevertheless, it should give 244completely change the following description). Nevertheless, it should give
237you some overview over the protocol. 245you some overview over the protocol.
238.Sh "Anatomy of a \s-1VPN\s0 packet" 246.SS "Anatomy of a \s-1VPN\s0 packet"
239.IX Subsection "Anatomy of a VPN packet" 247.IX Subsection "Anatomy of a VPN packet"
240The exact layout and field lengths of a \s-1VPN\s0 packet is determined at 248The exact layout and field lengths of a \s-1VPN\s0 packet is determined at
241compiletime and doesn't change. The same structure is used for all 249compile time and doesn't change. The same structure is used for all
242transort protocols, be it \s-1RAWIP\s0 or \s-1TCP\s0. 250transport protocols, be it \s-1RAWIP\s0 or \s-1TCP.\s0
243.PP 251.PP
244.Vb 3 252.Vb 3
245\& +------+------+--------+------+ 253\& +\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+
246\& | HMAC | TYPE | SRCDST | DATA | 254\& | HMAC | TYPE | SRCDST | DATA |
247\& +------+------+--------+------+ 255\& +\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+
248.Ve 256.Ve
249.PP 257.PP
250The \s-1HMAC\s0 field is present in all packets, even if not used (e.g. in auth 258The \s-1HMAC\s0 field is present in all packets, even if not used (e.g. in auth
251request packets), in which case it is set to all zeroes. The checksum 259request packets), in which case it is set to all zeroes. The \s-1MAC\s0 itself is
252itself is calculated over the \s-1TYPE\s0, \s-1SRCDST\s0 and \s-1DATA\s0 fields in all cases. 260calculated over the \s-1TYPE, SRCDST\s0 and \s-1DATA\s0 fields in all cases.
253.PP 261.PP
254The \s-1TYPE\s0 field is a single byte and determines the purpose of the packet 262The \s-1TYPE\s0 field is a single byte and determines the purpose of the packet
255(e.g. \s-1RESET\s0, \s-1COMPRESSED/UNCOMPRESSED\s0 \s-1DATA\s0, \s-1PING\s0, \s-1AUTH\s0 \s-1REQUEST/RESPONSE\s0, 263(e.g. \s-1RESET, COMPRESSED/UNCOMPRESSED DATA, PING, AUTH REQUEST/RESPONSE,
256\&\s-1CONNECT\s0 \s-1REQUEST/INFO\s0 etc.). 264CONNECT REQUEST/INFO\s0 etc.).
257.PP 265.PP
258\&\s-1SRCDST\s0 is a three byte field which contains the source and destination 266\&\s-1SRCDST\s0 is a three byte field which contains the source and destination
259node ids (12 bits each). The protocol does not yet scale well beyond 30+ 267node IDs (12 bits each).
260hosts, since all hosts must connect to each other once on startup. But if
261restarts are rare or tolerable and most connections are on demand, much
262larger networks are feasible.
263.PP 268.PP
264The \s-1DATA\s0 portion differs between each packet type, naturally, and is the 269The \s-1DATA\s0 portion differs between each packet type, naturally, and is the
265only part that can be encrypted. Data packets contain more fields, as 270only part that can be encrypted. Data packets contain more fields, as
266shown: 271shown:
267.PP 272.PP
268.Vb 3 273.Vb 3
269\& +------+------+--------+------+-------+------+ 274\& +\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+
270\& | HMAC | TYPE | SRCDST | RAND | SEQNO | DATA | 275\& | HMAC | TYPE | SRCDST | SEQNO | DATA |
271\& +------+------+--------+------+-------+------+ 276\& +\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-\-+\-\-\-\-\-\-+
272.Ve 277.Ve
273.PP 278.PP
274\&\s-1RAND\s0 is a sequence of fully random bytes, used to increase the entropy of
275the data for encryption purposes.
276.PP
277\&\s-1SEQNO\s0 is a 32\-bit sequence number. It is negotiated at every connection 279\&\s-1SEQNO\s0 is a 32\-bit sequence number. It is negotiated at every connection
278initialization and starts at some random 31 bit value. \s-1VPE\s0 currently uses 280initialization and starts at some random 31 bit value. \s-1GVPE\s0 currently uses
279a sliding window of 512 packets/sequence numbers to detect reordering, 281a sliding window of 512 packets/sequence numbers to detect reordering,
280duplication and reply attacks. 282duplication and replay attacks.
283.PP
284The encryption is done on \s-1SEQNO+DATA\s0 in \s-1CTR\s0 mode with \s-1IV\s0 generated from
285the seqno (for \s-1AES:\s0 seqno || seqno || seqno || (u32)0), which ensures
286uniqueness for a given key.
281.Sh "The authentification protocol" 287.SS "The authentication/key exchange protocol"
282.IX Subsection "The authentification protocol" 288.IX Subsection "The authentication/key exchange protocol"
283Before hosts can exchange packets, they need to establish authenticity of 289Before nodes can exchange packets, they need to establish authenticity of
284the other side and a key. Every host has a private \s-1RSA\s0 key and the public 290the other side and a key. Every node has a private \s-1RSA\s0 key and the public
285\&\s-1RSA\s0 keys of all other hosts. 291\&\s-1RSA\s0 keys of all other nodes.
286.PP 292.PP
287A host establishes a simplex connection by sending the other host a 293When a node wants to establish a connection to another node, it sends an
288\&\s-1RSA\s0 encrypted challenge containing a random challenge (consisting of 294RSA-OEAP-encrypted challenge and an \s-1ECDH \s0(curve25519) key. The other node
289the encryption key to use when sending packets, more random data and 295replies with its own \s-1ECDH\s0 key and a \s-1HKDF\s0 of the challenge and both \s-1ECDH\s0
290\&\s-1PKCS1_OAEP\s0 padding) and a random 16 byte \*(L"challenge\-id\*(R" (used to detect 296keys to prove its identity.
291duplicate auth packets). The destination host will respond by replying
292with an (unencrypted) \s-1RIPEMD160\s0 hash of the decrypted challenge, which
293will authentify that host. The destination host will also set the outgoing
294encryption parameters as given in the packet.
295.PP 297.PP
296When the source host receives a correct auth reply (by verifying the 298The remote node enganges in exactly the same protocol. When both nodes
297hash and the id, which will expire after 120 seconds), it will start to 299have exchanged their challenge and verified the response, they calculate a
298accept data packets from the destination host. 300cipher key and a \s-1HMAC\s0 key and start exchanging data packets.
299.PP 301.PP
300This means that a host can only initate a simplex connection, telling the 302In detail, the challenge consist of:
301other side the key it has to use when it sends packets. The challenge
302reply is only used to set the current \s-1IP\s0 address of the other side and
303protocol parameters.
304.PP 303.PP
305This protocol is completely symmetric, so to be able to send packets the 304.Vb 1
306destination host must send a challenge in the exact same way as already 305\& RSA\-OAEP (SEQNO MAC CIPHER SALT EXTRA\-AUTH) ECDH1
307described (so, in essence, two simplex connections are created per host 306.Ve
308pair). 307.PP
308That is, it encrypts (with the public key of the remote node) an initial
309sequence number for data packets, key material for the \s-1HMAC\s0 key, key
310material for the cipher key, a salt used by the \s-1HKDF \s0(as shown later) and
311some extra random bytes that are unused except for authentication. It also
312sends the public key of a curve25519 exchange.
313.PP
314The remote node decrypts the \s-1RSA\s0 data, generates its own \s-1ECDH\s0 key (\s-1ECDH2\s0),
315and replies with:
316.PP
317.Vb 1
318\& HKDF\-Expand (HKDF\-Extract (ECDH2, RSA), ECDH1, AUTH_DIGEST_SIZE) ECDH2
319.Ve
320.PP
321That is, it extracts from the decrypted \s-1RSA\s0 challenge, using its \s-1ECDH\s0
322key as salt, and then expands using the requesting node's \s-1ECDH1\s0 key. The
323resulting hash is returned as a proof that the node could decrypt the \s-1RSA\s0
324challenge data, together with the \s-1ECDH\s0 key.
325.PP
326After both nodes have done this to each other, they calculate the shared
327\&\s-1ECDH\s0 secret, cipher and \s-1HMAC\s0 keys for the session (each node generates two
328cipher and \s-1HMAC\s0 keys, one for sending and one for receiving).
329.PP
330The \s-1HMAC\s0 key for sending is generated as follow:
331.PP
332.Vb 1
333\& HMAC_KEY = HKDF\-Expand (HKDF\-Extract (REMOTE_SALT, MAC ECDH_SECRET), info, HMAC_MD_SIZE)
334.Ve
335.PP
336It extracts from \s-1MAC\s0 and \s-1ECDH_SECRET\s0 using the \fIremote\fR \s-1SALT,\s0 then
337expands using a static info string.
338.PP
339The cipher key is generated in the same way, except using the \s-1CIPHER\s0 part
340of the original challenge.
341.PP
342The result of this process is to authenticate each node to the other
343node, while exchanging keys using both \s-1RSA\s0 and \s-1ECDH,\s0 the latter providing
344perfect forward secrecy.
345.PP
346The protocol has been overdesigned where this was possible without
347increasing implementation complexity, in an attempt to protect against
348implementation or protocol failures. For example, if the \s-1ECDH\s0 challenge
349was found to be flawed, perfect forward secrecy would be lost, but the
350data would likely still be protected. Likewise, standard algorithms and
351implementations are used where possible.
309.Sh "Retrying" 352.SS "Retrying"
310.IX Subsection "Retrying" 353.IX Subsection "Retrying"
311When there is no response to an auth request, the host will send auth 354When there is no response to an auth request, the node will send auth
312requests in bursts with an exponential backoff. After some time it will 355requests in bursts with an exponential back-off. After some time it will
313resort to \s-1PING\s0 packets, which are very small (8 bytes) and lightweight 356resort to \s-1PING\s0 packets, which are very small (8 bytes + protocol header)
314(no \s-1RSA\s0 operations required). A host that receives ping requests from an 357and lightweight (no \s-1RSA\s0 operations required). A node that receives ping
315unconnected peer will respond by trying to create a connection. 358requests from an unconnected peer will respond by trying to create a
359connection.
316.PP 360.PP
317In addition to the exponential backoff, there is a global rate-limit on 361In addition to the exponential back-off, there is a global rate-limit on
318a per-IP base. It allows long bursts but will limit total packet rate to 362a per-IP base. It allows long bursts but will limit total packet rate to
319something like one control packet every ten seconds, to avoid accidental 363something like one control packet every ten seconds, to avoid accidental
320floods due to protocol problems (like a \s-1RSA\s0 key file mismatch between two 364floods due to protocol problems (like a \s-1RSA\s0 key file mismatch between two
321hosts). 365nodes).
366.PP
367The intervals between retries are limited by the \f(CW\*(C`max\-retry\*(C'\fR
368configuration value. A node with \f(CW\*(C`connect\*(C'\fR = \f(CW\*(C`always\*(C'\fR will always retry,
369a node with \f(CW\*(C`connect\*(C'\fR = \f(CW\*(C`ondemand\*(C'\fR will only try (and re-try) to connect
370as long as there are packets in the queue, usually this limits the retry
371period to \f(CW\*(C`max\-ttl\*(C'\fR seconds.
372.PP
373Sending packets over the \s-1VPN\s0 will reset the retry intervals as well, which
374means as long as somebody is trying to send packets to a given node, \s-1GVPE\s0
375will try to connect every few seconds.
322.Sh "Routing and Protocol translation" 376.SS "Routing and Protocol translation"
323.IX Subsection "Routing and Protocol translation" 377.IX Subsection "Routing and Protocol translation"
324The gvpe routing algorithm is easy: there isn't any routing. \s-1GVPE\s0 always 378The \s-1GVPE\s0 routing algorithm is easy: there isn't much routing to speak
325tries to establish direct connections, if the protocol abilities of the 379of: When routing packets to another node, \s-1GVPE\s0 tries the following
326two hosts allow it. 380options, in order:
381.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
382.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."
383.PD 0
384.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
385.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
386.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)."
387.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
388.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
389.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."
390.IP "If no such router exists, then \s-1GVPE\s0 will simply send the packet to the node with the highest priority available." 4
391.IX Item "If no such router exists, then GVPE will simply send the packet to the node with the highest priority available."
392.IP "Failing all that, the packet will be dropped." 4
393.IX Item "Failing all that, the packet will be dropped."
394.PD
327.PP 395.PP
328If the two hosts should be able to reach each other (common protocol, ip
329and port all known), but cannot (network down), then there will be no
330connection, point.
331.PP
332A host can usually declare itself unreachable directly by setting it's 396A host can usually declare itself unreachable directly by setting its
333port number(s) to zero. It can declare other hosts as unreachable by using 397port number(s) to zero. It can declare other hosts as unreachable by using
334a config-file that disables all protocols for these other hosts. 398a config-file that disables all protocols for these other hosts. Another
399option is to disable all protocols on that host in the other config files.
335.PP 400.PP
336If two hosts cannot connect to each other because their \s-1IP\s0 address(es) 401If two hosts cannot connect to each other because their \s-1IP\s0 address(es)
337are not known (such as dialup hosts), one side will send a connection 402are not known (such as dial-up hosts), one side will send a \fImediated\fR
338request to a router (routers must be configured to act as routers!), which 403connection request to a router (routers must be configured to act as
339will send both the originating and the destination host a connection info 404routers!), which will send both the originating and the destination host
340request with protocol information and \s-1IP\s0 address of the other host (if 405a connection info request with protocol information and \s-1IP\s0 address of the
341known). Both hosts will then try to establish a connection to the other 406other host (if known). Both hosts will then try to establish a direct
342peer, which is usually possible even when both hosts are behind a \s-1NAT\s0 407connection to the other peer, which is usually possible even when both
343gateway. 408hosts are behind a \s-1NAT\s0 gateway.
344.PP 409.PP
345If the hosts cannot reach each other because they have no common protocol, 410Routing via other nodes works because the \s-1SRCDST\s0 field is not encrypted,
346the originator instead use the router with highest priority and matching
347protocol as peer. Since the \s-1SRCDST\s0 field is not encrypted, the router host
348can just forward the packet to the destination host. Since each host uses 411so the router can just forward the packet to the destination host. Since
349it's own private key, the router will not be able to decrypt or encrypt 412each host uses its own private key, the router will not be able to
350packets, it will just act as a simple router and protocol translator. 413decrypt or encrypt packets, it will just act as a simple router and
351.PP 414protocol translator.
352When no router is connected, the host will aggressively try to connect to
353all routers, and if a router is asked for an unconnected host it will try
354to ask another router to establish the connection.
355.PP
356\&... more not yet written about the details of the routing, please bug me
357\&...

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