OSPFv3 Authentication Using IPsecOSPFv3 uses IPsec to provide authentication for OSPFv3 packets. IPsec authentication ensures security in the transmission of OSPFv3packets between IPsec-enabled routers.IPsec is a set of protocols developed by the internet engineering task force (IETF) to support secure exchange of packets at the IP layer.IPsec supports two encryption modes: transport and tunnel.• Transport mode — encrypts only the data portion (payload) of each packet, but leaves the header untouched.• Tunnel mode — is more secure and encrypts both the header and payload. On the receiving side, an IPsec-compliant device decryptseach packet.NOTE: Dell Networking OS supports only Transport Encryption mode in OSPFv3 authentication with IPsec.With IPsec-based authentication, Crypto images are used to include the IPsec secure socket application programming interface (API)required for use with OSPFv3.To ensure integrity, data origin authentication, detection and rejection of replays, and confidentiality of the packet, RFC 4302 and RFC 4303propose using two security protocols — authentication header (AH) and encapsulating security payload (ESP). For OSPFv3, these twoIPsec protocols provide interoperable, high-quality cryptographically-based security.• HA — IPsec authentication header is used in packet authentication to verify that data is not altered during transmission and ensuresthat users are communicating with the intended individual or organization. Insert the authentication header after the IP header with avalue of 51. AH provides integrity and validation of data origin by authenticating every OSPFv3 packet. For detailed information aboutthe IP AH protocol, refer to RFC 4302.• ESP — encapsulating security payload encapsulates data, enabling the protection of data that follows in the datagram. ESP providesauthentication and confidentiality of every packet. The ESP extension header is designed to provide a combination of security servicesfor both IPv4 and IPv6. Insert the ESP header after the IP header and before the next layer protocol header in Transport mode. It ispossible to insert the ESP header between the next layer protocol header and encapsulated IP header in Tunnel mode. However, Tunnelmode is not supported in Dell Networking OS. For detailed information about the IP ESP protocol, refer to RFC 4303.In OSPFv3 communication, IPsec provides security services between a pair of communicating hosts or security gateways using either AHor ESP. In an authentication policy on an interface or in an OSPF area, AH and ESP are used alone; in an encryption policy, AH and ESP maybe used together. The difference between the two mechanisms is the extent of the coverage. ESP only protects IP header fields if they areencapsulated by ESP.You decide the set of IPsec protocols that are employed for authentication and encryption and the ways in which they are employed. Whenyou correctly implement and deploy IPsec, it does not adversely affect users or hosts. AH and ESP are designed to be cryptographicalgorithm-independent.OSPFv3 Authentication Using IPsec: Configuration NotesOSPFv3 authentication using IPsec is implemented according to the specifications in RFC 4552.• To use IPsec, configure an authentication (using AH) or encryption (using ESP) security policy on an interface or in an OSPFv3 area.Each security policy consists of a security policy index (SPI) and the key used to validate OSPFv3 packets. After IPsec is configured forOSPFv3, IPsec operation is invisible to the user.• You can only enable one security protocol (AH or ESP) at a time on an interface or for an area. Enable IPsec AH with the ipv6ospf authentication command; enable IPsec ESP with the ipv6 ospf encryption command.• The security policy configured for an area is inherited by default on all interfaces in the area.• The security policy configured on an interface overrides any area-level configured security for the area to which the interface isassigned.• The configured authentication or encryption policy is applied to all OSPFv3 packets transmitted on the interface or in the area. TheIPsec security associations (SAs) are the same on inbound and outbound traffic on an OSPFv3 interface.• There is no maximum AH or ESP header length because the headers have fields with variable lengths.Open Shortest Path First (OSPFv2 and OSPFv3) 629
