Policy Concepts

TIP

Network connectivity problems can prevent new keys from being distributed to the PEPs before the old keys expire. If you experience problems of this nature, see “Solving Network Connectivity Problems” on page 248 for suggested workarounds to prevent interruptions.

Policy Types and Encryption Methods

The type of policy specifies the action applied to packets that match the protocol and networks included in this policy. You can choose from the following types:

Drop - drops all packets matching this policy.

Bypass - passes all packets matching this policy in the clear.

IPSec - encrypts or decrypts all packets matching this policy. (For Layer 2 Ethernet policies, this option is Encrypt.)

The following topics describe how traffic is protected in an encryption policy:

“Encapsulation” on page 183

“Encryption and Authentication Algorithms” on page 184

Encapsulation

To provide encryption and authentication, the PEPs use the EncrypTight Encapsulating Security Payload protocol (CE-ESP). CE-ESP is Black Box’s packet encapsulation protocol that is based on the IPSec ESP protocol standards.

Layer 2: Ethernet payload encryption

In Layer 2 policies, the CE-ESP protocol preserves the original Ethernet header information and encrypts only the Ethernet payload, as shown in Figure 67.

Figure 67 Ethernet frame encryption

Layer 3: IPSec Tunnel mode with original IP header preservation

In Layer 3 IP policies, a copy of the original IP header is used as the outer header and the original header and payload are encrypted, as show in Figure 68.

Figure 68 IP packet encryption

Layer 4: IPSec Transport mode for Layer 4 payload encryption

ETEP PEPs have an option to encrypt only the Layer 4 payload. The TCP and UDP header information remains in the clear, as shown in Figure 69. All other Layer 4 headers are encrypted.

EncrypTight User Guide

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Black Box EncrypTight, ET1000A Policy Types and Encryption Methods, Encapsulation, Layer 2 Ethernet payload encryption

EncrypTight, ET0100A, ET0010A, ET1000A specifications

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