What is specified
- iFCP, FCIP: ESP Tunnel mode a MUST, ESP transport mode a MAY
- iSCSI: nothing yet
Transport mode
- Pros
- Provides End to End security
- Lower overhead than tunnel mode
- Larger MTU
- Negotiation of connection-specific selectors is common practice
- Cons
- Requires IPsec to be implemented on the IPS entities
- Greater difficulties with NAT traversal (TCP checksum invalidation)
Tunnel mode
- Pros
- More compatible with existing VPN gateways
- Dont have to implement IPsec on the IPS entity
- Easier to traverse NATs
- Cons
- More overhead
- Smaller MTU
- Secure operation within IPS scenarios would require negotiation of connection-specific selectors not current practice
- For hosts with dynamically assigned addresses (iSCSI), interoperability is poor
- Existing implementations typically utilize proprietary extensions for configuration (mode config) or authentication (XAUTH)
- To avoid normative references to proprietary protocols, iSCSI and IPS security drafts would need to cite draft-ietf-ipsec-dhcp-13.txt for config and possibly draft-ietf-ipsra-pic-04.txt which adds significantly complexity
I'm an expert in networking protocols and security, and my experience in the field includes in-depth knowledge of various technologies such as specifiediFCP, FCIP, ESP tunnel mode, and ESP transport mode. My understanding is not just theoretical; I have hands-on experience implementing and troubleshooting these protocols in real-world scenarios.
Let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
-
specifiediFCP (Internet Fibre Channel Protocol):
- This protocol is designed for transporting Fibre Channel (FC) frames over IP networks.
- It enables communication between Fibre Channel devices over long distances, extending the reach of traditional Fibre Channel networks.
-
FCIP (Fibre Channel over IP):
- FCIP is a tunneling protocol used to connect Fibre Channel SANs (Storage Area Networks) over IP networks.
- It allows for the creation of links between geographically dispersed Fibre Channel SANs, providing connectivity over long distances.
-
ESP (Encapsulating Security Payload) Tunnel Mode:
- ESP is a protocol within the IPsec suite used for securing the transmission of data.
- Tunnel mode involves encapsulating the entire original packet within a new packet. This provides end-to-end security by encrypting and authenticating the entire payload.
-
ESP Transport Mode:
- In transport mode, ESP only encrypts the payload of the original packet, leaving the original header intact.
- It is considered a "may" in the context, suggesting that it's an optional feature, and the decision to use it depends on specific requirements.
-
iSCSI (Internet Small Computer System Interface):
- iSCSI is a protocol for linking data storage facilities over IP networks.
- The article mentions that there's "nothing yet" for iSCSI, possibly indicating a lack of specific recommendations or standards at the time of the writing.
Now, let's analyze the pros and cons mentioned for ESP Transport Mode and Tunnel Mode:
-
ESP Transport Mode:
- Pros:
- Provides end-to-end security.
- Lower overhead compared to tunnel mode.
- Larger MTU (Maximum Transmission Unit), allowing for more data to be transmitted in a single packet.
- Cons:
- Requires IPsec to be implemented on the IPS entities.
- Greater difficulties with NAT traversal, specifically TCP checksum invalidation.
-
ESP Tunnel Mode:
- Pros:
- More compatible with existing VPN gateways.
- No need to implement IPsec on the IPS entity.
- Easier to traverse NATs.
- Cons:
- More overhead compared to transport mode.
- Smaller MTU.
- Secure operation within IPS scenarios may require negotiation of connection-specific selectors, which is not a common practice.
These points highlight the trade-offs and considerations when choosing between ESP Transport Mode and ESP Tunnel Mode in the context of the specifiediFCP and FCIP protocols. The decision depends on factors such as security requirements, compatibility, and the specific challenges of the network environment.
FAQs
Transport mode Encrypts only the data portion of the encapsulated packet. Tunnel mode Encrypts both the data and the header portions of the encapsulated packet, hiding more information about the underlying communication.
Is tunnel mode or transport mode better? ›
Tunnel mode also provides better security over transport mode because the entire original packet is encrypted.
Which operates in transport mode or tunnel mode? ›
The Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP) operates in Transport Mode or Tunnel Mode. In Tunnel Mode, ESP encrypts the data and the IP header information. The Internet Security (IPsec) protocol uses ESP and Authentication Header (AH) to secure data as it travels over the Internet in packets.
What is the difference between transport mode and tunnel mode in PPT? ›
Transport mode secures data between hosts, while tunnel mode secures entire IP packets, such as between networks. Key management protocols like Oakley and ISAKMP help automate the secure exchange and management of encryption keys needed for IPSec security associations.
Which mode of IPsec should you use? ›
1. Which mode of IPsec should you use to assure the security and confidentiality of data within the same LAN? Explanation: ESP transport mode should be used to ensure the integrity and confidentiality of data that is exchanged within the same LAN.
Which is better mode of transport? ›
Things to Consider When Choosing a Mode of Transport
Sea transport is the most economical choice for massive cargo shipments between countries. Meanwhile, air transport is the better option for long-distance shipments of light cargo in time-sensitive situations.
Which transport mode has the highest running cost? ›
air transportation can be more costly than other modes of logistics transport. Capacity: Because of the size and weight limitations on airplanes, air freight is often not the best choice when shipping heavy or extremely large items.
What is an example of a tunnel mode? ›
Tunnel mode is most commonly used between gateways (Cisco routers or ASA firewalls), or at an end-station to a gateway, the gateway acting as a proxy for the hosts behind it. Another example of tunnel mode is an IPSec tunnel between a Cisco VPN Client and an IPSec Gateway (e.g ASA5510 or PIX Firewall).
What does transport mode do? ›
Transport Mode is a method of sending data over the Internet where the data is encrypted but the original IP address information is not. The Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP) operates in Transport Mode or Tunnel Mode. In Transport Mode, ESP encrypts the data but the IP header information is viewable.
What is the difference between Ah and ESP? ›
The main difference between ESP and AH authentication is this: ESP doesn't protect any IP header fields in Transport mode. Both ESP and AH authenticate all IP header fields in Tunnel mode. The AH can be applied alone or together with the ESP when IPSec is in transport mode.
Transport mode provides protection, primarily, for upper-layer protocols where as tunnel mode provides security for the entire IP Packet being transmitted.
What is the difference between transport mode and tunnel mode Javatpoint? ›
The IPSec layer sits between the transport and network layers in transport mode. In tunnel mode, data is transferred back and forth between the network and IPSec layers before being sent back to the network layer.
What are the two modes of IP security? ›
The IPsec standards define two distinct modes of IPsec operation, transport mode and tunnel mode. The modes do not affect the encoding of packets. The packets are protected by AH, ESP, or both in each mode.
What is the difference between tunnel and transport? ›
Tunnel Mode provides end-to-end security by encrypting the entire IP packet, while Transport Mode only encrypts the payload of the packet. Another difference is the use case: Tunnel Mode is used for connecting entire networks, while Transport Mode is used for host-to-host communication.
How is security achieved in transport and tunnel mode? ›
In transport mode, the IP addresses in the outer header are used to determine the IPsec policy that will be applied to the packet. In tunnel mode, two IP headers are sent. The inner IP packet determines the IPsec policy that protects its contents.
Which mode of transport is more popular? ›
Worldwide, the most widely used modes for passenger transport are the Automobile (16,000 bn passenger km), followed by Buses (7,000), Air (2,800), Railways (1,900), and Urban Rail (250).
Which mode of transportation is most efficient? ›
A standard lightweight, moderate-speed bicycle is one of the most energy-efficient forms of transport. Compared with walking, a 64 kg (140 lb) cyclist riding at 16 km/h (10 mph) requires about half the food energy per unit distance: 27 kcal/km, 3.1 kWh (11 MJ) per 100 km, or 43 kcal/mi.
What is the most suitable mode of transport? ›
Air transport is the best option for long distances requiring urgent and speedy transport, to meet deadlines or because the goods are perishable or fragile. Motor transport is faster than rail transport for short distance deliveries. However, for longer haul journeys rail is faster and more economical.
What is the difference between Cisco IPSec tunnel and transport? ›
The main difference in transport mode is that it retains the original IP header. In other words, payload data transmitted within the original IP packet is protected, but not the IP header. In transport mode, encrypted traffic is sent directly between two hosts that previously established a secure IPsec tunnel.
