Common Architecture Label IPv6 Security Option (CALIPSO)
RFC 5570

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Network Working Group                                        M. StJohns
Request for Comments: 5570                                   Consultant
Category: Informational                                     R. Atkinson
                                                       Extreme Networks
                                                              G. Thomas
                                               US Department of Defense
                                                              July 2009

        Common Architecture Label IPv6 Security Option (CALIPSO)

Abstract

   This document describes an optional method for encoding explicit
   packet Sensitivity Labels on IPv6 packets.  It is intended for use
   only within Multi-Level Secure (MLS) networking environments that are
   both trusted and trustworthy.

Status of This Memo

   This memo provides information for the Internet community.  It does
   not specify an Internet standard of any kind.  Distribution of this
   memo is unlimited.

IESG Note

   This RFC specifies the use of an IPv6 hop-by-hop option.  The IESG
   notes that general deployment of protocols with hop-by-hop options
   are problematic, and the development of such protocols is
   consequently discouraged.  After careful review, the IETF has
   determined that a hop-by-hop option is an appropriate solution for
   this specific limited environment and use case.  Furthermore, the
   mechanism specified in this RFC is only applicable to closed IP
   networks.  It is unsuitable for use and ineffective on the global
   public Internet.

Copyright Notice

   Copyright (c) 2009 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the
   document authors.  All rights reserved.

   This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal
   Provisions Relating to IETF Documents in effect on the date of
   publication of this document (http://trustee.ietf.org/license-info).
   Please review these documents carefully, as they describe your rights
   and restrictions with respect to this document.

StJohns, et al.              Informational                      [Page 1]
RFC 5570                        CALIPSO                        July 2009

   This document may contain material from IETF Documents or IETF
   Contributions published or made publicly available before November
   10, 2008.  The person(s) controlling the copyright in some of this
   material may not have granted the IETF Trust the right to allow
   modifications of such material outside the IETF Standards Process.
   Without obtaining an adequate license from the person(s) controlling
   the copyright in such materials, this document may not be modified
   outside the IETF Standards Process, and derivative works of it may
   not be created outside the IETF Standards Process, except to format
   it for publication as an RFC or to translate it into languages other
   than English.

StJohns, et al.              Informational                      [Page 2]
RFC 5570                        CALIPSO                        July 2009

Table of Contents

   1. Introduction ....................................................4
      1.1. History ....................................................4
      1.2. Intent and Applicability ...................................6
      1.3. Deployment Examples ........................................7
   2. Definitions .....................................................9
      2.1. Domain of Interpretation ...................................9
      2.2. Sensitivity Level .........................................10
      2.3. Compartment ...............................................10
      2.4. Releasability .............................................11
      2.5. Sensitivity Label .........................................16
      2.6. Import ....................................................17
      2.7. Export ....................................................17
      2.8. End System ................................................18
      2.9. Intermediate System .......................................18
      2.10. System Security Policy ...................................19
   3. Architecture ...................................................19
   4. Defaults .......................................................24
   5. Format .........................................................26
      5.1. Option Format .............................................27
      5.2. Packet Word Alignment Considerations ......................30
   6. Usage ..........................................................31
      6.1. Sensitivity Label Comparisons .............................31
      6.2. End System Processing .....................................34
      6.3. Intermediate System Processing ............................37
      6.4. Translation ...............................................40
   7. Architectural and Implementation Considerations ................41