8 .ds RF FORMFEED[Page %]
17 Network Working Group P. Riikonen
19 draft-riikonen-silc-pp-01.txt 6 October 2000
26 <draft-riikonen-silc-pp-01.txt>
31 This document is an Internet-Draft and is in full conformance with
32 all provisions of Section 10 of RFC 2026. Internet-Drafts are
33 working documents of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF), its
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37 Internet-Drafts are draft documents valid for a maximum of six months
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40 material or to cite them other than as "work in progress."
42 The list of current Internet-Drafts can be accessed at
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45 The list of Internet-Draft Shadow Directories can be accessed at
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48 The distribution of this memo is unlimited.
54 This memo describes a Packet Protocol used in the Secure Internet Live
55 Conferencing (SILC) protocol specified in the Secure Internet Live
56 Conferencing, Protocol Specification Internet Draft [SILC1]. This
57 protocol describes the packet types and packet payloads which defines
58 the contents of the packets. The protocol provides secure binary packet
59 protocol that assures that the contents of the packets are secured and
74 1 Introduction .................................................. 3
75 2 SILC Packet Protocol .......................................... 4
76 2.1 SILC Packet ............................................... 4
77 2.2 SILC Packet Header ........................................ 5
78 2.3 SILC Packet Types ......................................... 7
79 2.3.1 SILC Packet Payloads ................................ 15
80 2.3.2 Generic payloads .................................... 16
81 2.3.2.1 ID Payload .................................. 16
82 2.3.2.2 Argument Payload ............................ 16
83 2.3.3 Disconnect Payload .................................. 17
84 2.3.4 Success Payload ..................................... 18
85 2.3.5 Failure Payload ..................................... 18
86 2.3.6 Reject Payload ...................................... 19
87 2.3.7 Notify Payload ...................................... 20
88 2.3.8 Error Payload ....................................... 21
89 2.3.9 Channel Message Payload ............................. 22
90 2.3.10 Channel Key Payload ................................ 24
91 2.3.11 Private Message Payload ............................ 26
92 2.3.12 Private Message Key Payload ........................ 27
93 2.3.13 Command Payload .................................... 28
94 2.3.14 Command Reply Payload .............................. 29
95 2.3.15 Connection Auth Request Payload .................... 29
96 2.3.16 New ID Payload ..................................... 30
97 2.3.17 New ID List Payload ................................ 31
98 2.3.18 New Client Payload ................................. 31
99 2.3.19 New Server Payload ................................. 32
100 2.3.20 New Channel Payload ................................ 33
101 2.3.21 New Channel User Payload ........................... 34
102 2.3.22 New Channel List Payload ........................... 35
103 2.3.23 New Channel User List Payload ...................... 36
104 2.3.24 Replace ID Payload ................................. 36
105 2.3.25 Remove ID Payload .................................. 37
106 2.3.26 Remove Channel User Payload ........................ 38
107 2.4 SILC ID Types ............................................. 39
108 2.5 Packet Encryption And Decryption .......................... 39
109 2.5.1 Normal Packet Encryption And Decryption ............. 39
110 2.5.2 Channel Message Encryption And Decryption ........... 40
111 2.5.3 Private Message Encryption And Decryption ........... 41
112 2.6 Packet MAC Generation ..................................... 41
113 2.7 Packet Padding Generation ................................. 42
114 2.8 Packet Compression ........................................ 42
115 2.9 Packet Sending ............................................ 43
116 2.10 Packet Reception ......................................... 43
117 2.11 Packet Routing ........................................... 44
118 2.12 Packet Forwarding ........................................ 44
119 2.13 Packet Broadcasting ...................................... 45
120 2.14 Packet Tunneling ......................................... 45
121 3 Security Considerations ....................................... 46
122 4 References .................................................... 46
123 5 Author's Address .............................................. 47
129 Figure 1: Typical SILC Packet
130 Figure 2: SILC Packet Header
132 Figure 4: Argument Payload
133 Figure 5: Disconnect Payload
134 Figure 6: Success Payload
135 Figure 7: Failure Payload
136 Figure 8: Reject Payload
137 Figure 9: Notify Payload
138 Figure 10: Error Payload
139 Figure 11: Channel Message Payload
140 Figure 12: Channel Key Payload
141 Figure 13: Private Message Payload
142 Figure 14: Private Message Key Payload
143 Figure 15: Command Payload
144 Figure 16: Connection Auth Request Payload
145 Figure 17: New Client Payload
146 Figure 18: New Server Payload
147 Figure 19: New Channel Payload
148 Figure 20: New Channel User Payload
149 Figure 21: Replace ID Payload
150 Figure 22: Remove Channel User Payload
156 This document describes a Packet Protocol used in the Secure Internet
157 Live Conferencing (SILC) protocol specified in the Secure Internet Live
158 Conferencing, Protocol Specification Internet Draft [SILC1]. This
159 protocol describes the packet types and packet payloads which defines
160 the contents of the packets. The protocol provides secure binary packet
161 protocol that assures that the contents of the packets are secured and
164 The basis of SILC protocol relies in the SILC packets and it is with
165 out a doubt the most important part of the protocol. It is also probably
166 the most complicated part of the protocol. Packets are used all the
167 time in the SILC network to send messages, commands and other information.
168 All packets in SILC network are always encrypted and their integrity
169 is assured by computed MACs. The protocol defines several packet types
170 and packet payloads. Each packet type usually has a specific packet
171 payload that actually defines the contents of the packet. Each packet
172 also includes a default SILC Packet Header that provides sufficient
173 information about the origin of the packet and destination of the
178 2 SILC Packet Protocol
183 SILC packets deliver messages from sender to receiver securely by
184 encrypting important fields of the packet. The packet consists of
185 default SILC Packet Header, Padding, Packet Payload data, and, packet
188 The following diagram illustrates typical SILC packet.
193 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
194 | n bytes | 1 - n bytes | n bytes | n bytes
195 | SILC Header | Padding | Data Payload | MAC
196 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
200 Figure 1: Typical SILC Packet
203 SILC Header is always the first part of the packet and its purpose
204 is to provide information about the packet. It provides for example
205 the packet type, origin of the packet and the destination of the packet.
206 The header is variable in length and first two (2) bytes of the
207 header (thus first two bytes of the packet) are not encrypted. The
208 first two (2) bytes are the length of the packet which is not encrypted.
209 See following section for description of SILC Packet header. Packets
210 without SILC header or with malformed SILC header must be dropped.
212 Padding follows the packet header. The purpose of the padding is to
213 make the packet multiple by eight (8) or by the block size of the
214 cipher used in the encryption, which ever is larger. The maximum
215 length of padding is currently 16 bytes. The padding is always
218 Data payload area follows padding and it is the actual data of the
219 packet. The packet data is the packet payloads defined in this
220 protocol. The data payload area is always encrypted.
222 The last part of SILC packet is the packet MAC that assures the
223 integrity of the packet. The MAC is always computed from the packet
224 before the encryption is applied to the packet. If compression is used
225 in the packet the MAC is computed after the compression has been
226 applied. The compression, on the other hand, is always applied before
229 All fields in all packet payloads are always in MSB (most significant
234 2.2 SILC Packet Header
236 The default SILC packet header is applied to all SILC packets and it is
237 variable in length. The purpose of SILC Packet header is to provide
238 detailed information about the packet. The receiver of the packet uses
239 the packet header to parse the packet and gain other relevant parameters
242 Following diagram represents the default SILC header format.
243 (*) indicates that this field is never encrypted. Other fields are
250 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
251 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
252 | Payload Length * | Flags | Packet Type |
253 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
254 | Source ID Length | Destination ID Length |
255 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
261 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
267 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
271 Figure 2: SILC Packet Header
275 o Payload Length (2 bytes) - Is the length of the packet
276 not including the padding of the packet. This field must
277 not be encrypted but must always be authenticated.
279 o Flags (1 byte) - Indicates flags to be used in packet
280 processing. Several flags may be set by ORing the flags
283 Following flags are reserved for this field:
288 In this case the field is ignored.
291 Private Message Key 0x01
293 Indicates that the packet must include private
294 message that is encrypted using private key set by
295 client. Servers does not know anything about this
296 key and this causes that the private message is
297 not handled by the server at all, it is just
298 passed along. See section 2.5.3 Private Message
299 Encryption And Decryption for more information.
304 Marks the packet to be forwarded. Some specific
305 packet types may be forwarded. Receiver of packet
306 with this flag set must not forward the packet any
307 further. See section 2.12 Packet Forwarding for
308 description of packet forwarding.
313 Marks the packet to be broadcasted. Client cannot
314 send broadcast packet and normal server cannot send
315 broadcast packet. Only router server may send broadcast
316 packet. The router receiving of packet with this flag
317 set must send (broadcast) the packet to its primary
318 route. If router has several router connections the
319 packet may be sent only to the primary route. See
320 section 2.13 Packet Broadcasting for description of
326 Marks that the packet is tunneled. Tunneling means
327 that extra SILC Packet Header has been applied to the
328 original packet. The outer header has this flag
329 set. See section 2.14 Packet Tunneling for more
335 o Packet Type (1 byte) - Is the type of the packet. Receiver
336 uses this field to parse the packet. See section 2.3
337 SILC Packets for list of defined packet types.
339 o Source ID Length (2 bytes) - Indicates the length of the
340 Source ID field in the header, not including this or any
343 o Destination ID Length (2 bytes) - Indicates the length of the
344 Destination ID field in the header, not including this or
347 o Src ID Type (1 byte) - Indicates the type of ID in the
348 Source ID field. See section 2.4 SILC ID Types for
351 o Source ID (variable length) - The actual source ID that
352 indicates who is the original sender of the packet.
354 o Dst ID Type (1 byte) - Indicates the type of ID in the
355 Destination ID field. See section 2.4 SILC ID Types for
358 o Destination ID (variable length) - The actual source ID that
359 indicates who is the end receiver of the packet.
363 2.3 SILC Packet Types
365 SILC packet types defines the contents of the packet and it is used by
366 the receiver to parse the packet. The packet type is 8 bits, as a one
367 byte, in length. The range for the packet types are from 0 - 255,
368 where 0 is never sent and 255 is currently reserved for future
369 extensions and must not be defined to any other purpose. Every SILC
370 specification compliant implementation should support all of these packet
373 The below list of the SILC Packet types includes reference to the packet
374 payload as well. Packet payloads are the actual packet, that is, the data
375 that the packet consists of. Each packet type defines packet payload
376 which usually may only be sent with the specific packet type.
378 Most of the packets are packets that must be destined directly to entity
379 that is connected to the sender. It is not allowed, for example, for
380 router to send disconnect packet to client that is not directly connected
381 to the router. However, there are some special packet types that may
382 be destined to some entity that the sender has not direct connection
383 with. These packets are for example private message packets, channel
384 message packets, command packets and some other packets that may be
385 broadcasted in the SILC network. If the packet is allowed to be sent to
386 indirectly connected entity it is mentioned separately in the packet
387 description (unless it is obvious as in private and channel message
388 packets). Other packets must not be sent or accepted, if sent, to
389 indirectly connected entities.
391 List of SILC Packet types are defined as follows.
396 This type is reserved and it is never sent.
399 1 SILC_PACKET_DISCONNECT
401 This packet is sent to disconnect the remote end. Reason of
402 the disconnection is sent inside the packet payload. Client
403 usually does not send this packet.
405 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.3 Disconnect Payload
408 2 SILC_PACKET_SUCCESS
410 This packet is sent upon successful execution of some protocol.
411 The status of the success is sent in the packet.
413 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.4 Success Payload
416 3 SILC_PACKET_FAILURE
418 This packet is sent upon failure of some protocol. The status
419 of the failure is sent in the packet.
421 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.5 Failure Payload
426 This packet may be sent upon rejection of some protocol.
427 The status of the rejection is sent in the packet.
429 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.6 Reject Payload
434 This packet is used to send notify message, usually from
435 server to client, although it may be sent from server to another
436 server as well. Client never sends this packet. Server may
437 send this packet to channel as well when the packet is
438 distributed to all clients on the channel.
440 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.7 Notify Payload.
445 This packet is sent when an error occurs. Server may
446 send this packet. Client never sends this packet. The
447 client may entirely ignore the packet, however, server is
448 most likely to take action anyway. This packet may be sent
449 to entity that is indirectly connected to the sender.
451 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.8 Error Payload.
454 7 SILC_PACKET_CHANNEL_MESSAGE
456 This packet is used to send messages to channels. The packet
457 includes Channel ID of the channel and the actual message to
458 the channel. Messages sent to the channel are always protected
459 by channel specific keys. Channel Keys are distributed by
460 SILC_PACKET_CHANNEL_KEY packet.
462 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.9 Channel Message
466 8 SILC_PACKET_CHANNEL_KEY
468 This packet is used to distribute new key for particular
469 channel. Each channel has their own independent keys that
470 is used to protect the traffic on the channel. Only server
471 may send this packet. This packet may be sent to entity
472 that is indirectly connected to the sender.
474 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.10 Channel Key Payload
477 9 SILC_PACKET_PRIVATE_MESSAGE
479 This packet is used to send private messages from client
480 to another client. By default, private messages are protected
481 by session keys established by normal key exchange protocol.
482 However, it is possible to use specific key to protect private
483 messages. SILC_PACKET_PRIVATE_MESSAGE_KEY packet is used to
484 agree the key with the remote client. Pre-shared key may be
485 used as well if both of the client knows it, however, it needs
486 to be agreed outside SILC. See more of this in [SILC1].
488 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.11 Private Message
492 10 SILC_PACKET_PRIVATE_MESSAGE_KEY
494 This packet is used to agree about a key to be used to protect
495 the private messages between two clients. If this is not sent
496 the normal session key is used to protect the private messages
497 inside SILC network. Agreeing to use specific key to protect
498 private messages adds security, as no server between the two
499 clients will be able to decrypt the private message. However,
500 servers inside SILC network are considered to be trusted, thus
501 using normal session key to protect private messages does not
502 degree security. Whether to agree to use specific keys by
503 default or to use normal session keys by default, is
504 implementation specific issue. See more of this in [SILC1].
506 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.12 Private Message
510 11 SILC_PACKET_COMMAND
512 This packet is used to send commands from client to server.
513 Server may send this packet to other servers as well. All
514 commands are listed in their own section SILC Command Types
515 in [SILC1]. The contents of this packet is command specific.
516 This packet may be sent to entity that is indirectly connected
519 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.13 Command Payload
522 12 SILC_PACKET_COMMAND_REPLY
524 This packet is send as reply to the SILC_PACKET_COMMAND packet.
525 The contents of this packet is command specific. This packet
526 maybe sent to entity that is indirectly connected to the sender.
528 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.14 Command Reply
529 Payload and section 2.3.13 Command
533 13 SILC_PACKET_KEY_EXCHANGE
535 This packet is used to start SILC Key Exchange Protocol,
536 described in detail in [SILC3].
538 Payload of the packet: Payload of this packet is described
539 in the section SILC Key Exchange
540 Protocol and its sub sections in
544 14 SILC_PACKET_KEY_EXCHANGE_1
546 This packet is used as part of the SILC Key Exchange Protocol.
548 Payload of the packet: Payload of this packet is described
549 in the section SILC Key Exchange
550 Protocol and its sub sections in
554 15 SILC_PACKET_KEY_EXCHANGE_2
556 This packet is used as part of the SILC Key Exchange Protocol.
558 Payload of the packet: Payload of this packet is described
559 in the section SILC Key Exchange
560 Protocol and its sub sections in
564 16 SILC_PACKET_CONNECTION_AUTH_REQUEST
566 This packet is used to request the authentication method to
567 be used in the SILC Connection Authentication Protocol. If
568 initiator of the protocol does not know the mandatory
569 authentication method this packet is used to determine it.
571 The party receiving this payload must respond with the same
572 packet including the mandatory authentication method.
574 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.15 Connection Auth
578 17 SILC_PACKET_CONNECTION_AUTH
580 This packet is used to start and perform the SILC Connection
581 Authentication Protocol. This protocol is used to authenticate
582 the connecting party. The protocol is described in detail in
585 Payload of the packet: Payload of this packet is described
586 in the section SILC Authentication
587 Protocol and it sub sections in [SILC].
590 18 SILC_PACKET_NEW_ID
592 This packet is used to distribute new ID's from server to
593 router and from router to all routers in the SILC network.
594 This is used when for example new client is registered to
595 SILC network. The newly created ID's of these operations are
596 distributed by this packet. Only server may send this packet,
597 however, client must be able to receive this packet.
599 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.16 New ID Payload
602 19 SILC_PACKET_NEW_ID_LIST
604 This packet is used to distribute list of new ID's from
605 server to routers. This is equivalent to previous packet
606 type except that it may include several ID's. Client must
607 not send this packet.
609 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.17 New ID List
613 20 SILC_PACKET_NEW_CLIENT
615 This packet is used by client to register itself to the
616 SILC network. This is sent after key exchange and
617 authentication protocols has been completed. Client sends
618 various information about itself in this packet.
620 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.18 New Client Payload
623 21 SILC_PACKET_NEW_SERVER
625 This packet is used by server to register itself to the
626 SILC network. This is sent after key exchange and
627 authentication protocols has been completed. Server sends
628 this to the router it connected to, or, if router was
629 connecting, to the connected router. Server sends
630 its Server ID and other information in this packet.
631 Client must not send or receive this packet.
633 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.19 New Server Payload
636 22 SILC_PACKET_NEW_CHANNEL
638 This packet is used to notify routers about newly created
639 channel. Channels are always created by the router and it must
640 notify other routers about the created channel. Router sends
641 this packet to its primary route. Client must not send this
642 packet. This packet maybe sent to entity that is indirectly
643 connected to the sender.
645 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.20 New Channel Payload
648 23 SILC_PACKET_NEW_CHANNEL_USER
650 This packet is used to notify routers about new user on channel.
651 The packet is sent after user has joined to the channel. Server
652 may send this packet to its router and router may send this to
653 its primary router. Client must not send this packet. This
654 packet maybe sent to entity that is indirectly connected to
657 When received, the server or router must distribute
658 SILC_NOTIFY_TYPE_JOIN to local clients on the channel.
660 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.21 New Channel User
664 24 SILC_PACKET_NEW_CHANNEL_LIST
666 This packet is used to distribute list of created channels
667 from server to routers. This is equivalent to the packet
668 SILC_PACKET_NEW_CHANNEL except that it may include several
669 payloads. Client must not send this packet.
671 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.22 New Channel List
675 25 SILC_PACKET_NEW_CHANNEL_USER_LIST
677 This packet is used to distribute list of users on specific
678 channel from server to routers. This is equivalent to the
679 packet SILC_PACKET_NEW_CHANNEL_USER except that it may
680 include several payloads. Client must not send this packet.
682 When received, the server or router must distribute
683 SILC_NOTIFY_TYPE_JOIN to local clients on the channel.
685 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.23 New Channel User
689 26 SILC_PACKET_REPLACE_ID
691 This packet is used to replace old ID with new ID sent in
692 the packet payload. For example, when client changes its
693 nickname new ID is created and this packet can be used to
694 distribute the new ID and the old ID is removed when it is
695 send in the packet. Client cannot send or receive this
696 packet. This packet maybe sent to entity that is indirectly
697 connected to the sender.
699 When received and the replaced ID is Client ID the server or
700 router must distribute SILC_NOTIFY_TYPE_NICK_CHANGE to the
701 local clients on the channels (if any) of the client whose
702 ID was changed. However, the notify type must be sent only
705 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.24 Replace ID Payload
708 27 SILC_PACKET_REMOVE_ID
710 This packet is used to removed ID. For example, when client
711 exits SILC network its ID is removed. Client must not send
712 this packet. This packet maybe sent to entity that is
713 indirectly connected to the sender.
715 When received and the replaced ID is Client ID the server or
716 router must distribute SILC_NOTIFY_TYPE_SIGNOFF to the
717 local clients on the channels (if any) of the client whose
718 ID was changed. However, the notify type must be sent only
721 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.25 Remove ID Payload
724 28 SILC_PACKET_REMOVE_CHANNEL_USER
726 This packet is used to remove user from a channel. This is
727 used by router to notify other routers in the network that a
728 client has left a channel. This packet maybe sent to entity
729 that is indirectly connected to the sender.
731 When received, the server or router must distribute
732 SILC_NOTIFY_TYPE_LEAVE to local clients on the channel.
734 Payload of the packet: See section 2.3.26 Remove Channel User
740 This packet is used to indicate that re-key must be performed
741 for session keys. See section Session Key Regeneration in
742 [SILC1] for more information. This packet does not have
746 30 SILC_PACKET_REKEY_DONE
748 This packet is used to indicate that re-key is performed and
749 new keys must be used hereafter. This is sent only if re-key
750 was done without PFS option. If PFS is set, this is not sent
751 as SILC Key Exchange protocol is executed. This packet does
757 Currently undefined commands.
762 These packet types are reserved for private use and they will not
763 be defined by this document.
768 This type is reserved for future extensions and currently it
774 2.3.1 SILC Packet Payloads
776 All payloads resides in the main data area of the SILC packet. However
777 all payloads must be at the start of the data area after the default
778 SILC packet header and padding. All fields in the packet payload are
779 always encrypted, as, they reside in the data area of the packet which
782 Payloads described in this section are common payloads that must be
783 accepted anytime during SILC session. Most of the payloads may only
784 be sent with specific packet type which is defined in the description
787 There are a lot of other payloads in the SILC as well. However, they
788 are not common in the sense that they could be sent at any time.
789 These payloads are not described in this section. These are payloads
790 such as SILC Key Exchange payloads and so on. These are described
791 in [SILC1] and [SILC3].
795 2.3.2 Generic payloads
797 This section describes generic payloads that are not associated to any
798 specific packet type. They can be used for example inside some other
805 This payload can be used to send an ID. ID's are variable length thus
806 this payload provides a way to send variable length ID's.
808 Following diagram represents the ID Payload.
813 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
814 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
815 | ID Type | ID Length |
816 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
820 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
828 o ID Type (2 bytes) - Indicates the type of the ID. See
829 section 2.4 SILC ID Types for list of defined ID types.
831 o ID Length (2 bytes) - Length of the ID Data area not
832 including the length of any other fields in the payload.
834 o ID Data (variable length) - The actual ID data.
839 2.3.2.2 Argument Payload
841 Argument Payload is used to set arguments for any packet payload that
842 needs and supports arguments, such as commands. Number of arguments
843 associated with a packet must be indicated by the packet payload who
844 needs the arguments. Argument Payloads must always reside right after
845 the packet payload needing the arguments. Incorrect amount of argument
846 payloads must cause rejection of the packet. Following diagram represents
847 the Argument Payload.
853 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
854 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
855 | Payload Length | Argument Type | |
856 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +
860 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
864 Figure 4: Argument Payload
868 o Payload Length (2 bytes) - Length of the argument payload data
869 area not including the length of any other fields in the
872 o Argument Type (1 byte) - Indicates the type of the argument.
873 Every argument may have a specific type that must be defined
874 by the packet payload needing the argument. For example
875 every command specify a number for each argument that maybe
876 associated with the command. By using this number the receiver
877 of the packet knows what type of argument this is. If there is
878 no specific argument type this field is set to zero (0).
880 o Argument Data (variable length) - Argument data.
885 2.3.3 Disconnect Payload
887 Disconnect payload is sent upon disconnection. The payload is simple;
888 reason of disconnection is sent to the disconnected party.
890 The payload may only be sent with SILC_PACKET_DISCONNECT packet. It
891 must not be sent in any other packet type. Following diagram represents
892 the Disconnect Payload.
903 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
904 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
906 ~ Disconnect Message ~
908 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
912 Figure 5: Disconnect Payload
918 o Disconnect Message (variable length) - Human readable
919 reason of the disconnection.
924 2.3.4 Success Payload
926 Success payload is sent when some protocol execution is successfully
927 completed. The payload is simple; indication of the success is sent.
928 This maybe any data, including binary or human readable data.
933 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
934 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
936 ~ Success Indication ~
938 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
942 Figure 6: Success Payload
946 o Success Indication (variable length) - Indication of
947 the success. This maybe for example some flag that
948 indicates the protocol and the success status or human
949 readable success message. The true length of this
950 payload is available by calculating it from the SILC
956 2.3.5 Failure Payload
958 This is opposite of Success Payload. Indication of failure of
959 some protocol is sent in the payload.
965 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
966 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
968 ~ Failure Indication ~
970 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
974 Figure 7: Failure Payload
978 o Failure Indication (variable length) - Indication of
979 the failure. This maybe for example some flag that
980 indicates the protocol and the failure status or human
981 readable failure message. The true length of this
982 payload is available by calculating it from the SILC
990 This payload is sent when some protocol is rejected to be executed.
991 Other operations may send this as well that was rejected. The
992 indication of the rejection is sent in the payload. The indication
993 may be binary or human readable data.
999 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
1000 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1002 ~ Reject Indication ~
1004 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1008 Figure 8: Reject Payload
1012 o Reject Indication (variable length) - Indication of
1013 the rejection. This maybe for example some flag that
1014 indicates the protocol and the rejection status or human
1015 readable rejection message. The true length of this
1016 payload is available by calculating it from the SILC
1025 2.3.7 Notify Payload
1027 Notify payload is used to send notify messages. The payload is usually
1028 sent from server to client, however, server may send it to another
1029 server as well. This payload may also be sent to a channel. Client must
1030 not send this payload. The receiver of this payload may totally ignore the
1031 contents of the payload, however, notify message should be audited.
1033 The payload may only be sent with SILC_PACKET_NOTIFY packet. It must
1034 not be sent in any other packet type. Following diagram represents the
1040 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
1041 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1042 | Notify Type | Payload Length |
1043 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1049 Figure 9: Notify Payload
1053 o Notify Type (2 bytes) - Indicates the type of the notify
1056 o Payload Length (2 bytes) - Length of the entire Notify Payload
1057 including any associated Argument Payloads.
1059 o Argument Nums (2 bytes) - Indicates the number of Argument
1060 Payloads associated to this payload. Notify types may define
1061 arguments to be send along the notify message.
1064 Following list of currently defined notify types. The format for notify
1065 arguments is same as in SILC commands described in [SILC1]. Also, all
1066 ID's sent in arguments are sent inside ID Payload.
1069 0 SILC_NOTIFY_TYPE_NONE
1071 If no specific notify type apply for the notify message this type
1075 Arguments: (1) <message>
1077 The <message> is implementation specific free text string. Receiver
1078 may ignore this message.
1081 1 SILC_NOTIFY_TYPE_INVITE
1083 Sent when receiver has been invited to a channel. This type must be
1084 sent directly to the invited client.
1087 Arguments: (1) <Client ID> (2) <Channel ID>
1089 The <Client ID> is the client who invites the receiver of this type
1090 to channel indicated by <Channel ID>.
1093 2 SILC_NOTIFY_TYPE_JOIN
1095 Sent when client has joined to a channel. The server must distribute
1096 this type only to the local clients on the channel and then send
1097 SILC_PACKET_NEW_CHANNEL_USER packet to its primary route. The router
1098 or server receiving the packet distributes this type to the local
1099 clients on the channel. See description of SILC_PACKET_NEW_CHANNEL_USER
1100 packet for more information.
1103 Arguments: (1) <Client ID>
1105 The <Client ID> is the client that joined to the channel.
1108 3 SILC_NOTIFY_TYPE_LEAVE
1110 Sent when client has left a channel. The server must distribute
1111 this type only to the local clients on the channel and then send
1112 SILC_PACKET_REMOVE_CHANNEL_USER packet to its primary route. The
1113 router or server receiving the packet distributes this type to the
1114 local clients on the channel. See description of
1115 SILC_PACKET_REMOVE_CHANNEL_USER packet for more information.
1118 Arguments: (1) <Client ID>
1120 The <Client ID> is the client who left the channel.
1123 4 SILC_NOTIFY_TYPE_SIGNOFF
1125 Sent when client signoffs from SILC network. This type is sent only
1126 if the client was joined to any channel. This type is sent by server
1127 or router when SILC_PACKET_REMOVE_ID packet has been received. See
1128 detailed information from description of SILC_PACKET_REMOVE_ID packet.
1131 Arguments: (1) <Client ID>
1133 The <Client ID> is the client who left SILC network.
1136 5 SILC_NOTIFY_TYPE_TOPIC_SET
1138 Sent when topic is set/changed on a channel. This type must be sent
1139 only to the clients who is joined on the channel whose topic was
1143 Arguments: (1) <Client ID> (2) <topic>
1145 The <Client ID> is the client who set or changed the <topic>.
1148 6 SILC_NOTIFY_TYPE_NICK_CHANGE
1150 Sent when client changes nick on a channel. This type is sent only if
1151 the client has joined to any channel. This type is sent by server or
1152 router when SILC_PACKET_REPLACE_ID packet has been received. See
1153 detailed information from description of SILC_PACKET_REPLACE_ID packet.
1156 Arguments: (1) <Old Client ID> (2) <New Client ID>
1158 The <Old Client ID> is the old ID of the client who changed the
1159 nickname. The <New Client ID> is the new ID generated by the change
1163 7 SILC_NOTIFY_TYPE_CMODE_CHANGE
1165 Sent when channel mode has changed. This type must be sent only to
1166 the clients who is joined on the channel whose mode was changed.
1169 Arguments: (1) <Client ID> (2) <mode mask>
1171 The <Client ID> is the client who changed the mode. The <mode mask>
1172 is the new mode mask of the channel.
1175 8 SILC_NOTIFY_TYPE_CUMODE_CHANGE
1177 Sent when user mode on channel has changed. This type must be sent
1178 only to the clients who is joined on the channel where the target
1182 Arguments: (1) <Client ID> (2) <mode mask>
1183 (3) <Target Client ID>
1185 The <Client ID> is the client who changed the mode. The <mode mask>
1186 is the new mode mask of the channel. The <Target Client ID> is the
1187 client whose mode was changed.
1190 9 SILC_NOTIFY_TYPE_MOTD
1192 Sent when Message of the Day (motd) is sent to client.
1195 Arguments: (1) <motd>
1197 The <motd> is the Message of the Day.
1200 Notify types starting from 16384 are reserved for private notify
1207 Error payload is sent upon error. Error may occur in various
1208 conditions when server sends this packet. Client may not send this
1209 payload but must be able to accept it. However, client may
1210 totally ignore the contents of the packet as server is going to
1211 take action on the error anyway. However, it is recommended
1212 that the client takes error packet seriously.
1218 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
1219 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1223 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1227 Figure 10: Error Payload
1231 o Error Message (variable length) - Human readable error
1237 2.3.9 Channel Message Payload
1239 Channel messages are the most common messages sent in the SILC.
1240 Channel Message Payload is used to send message to channels. These
1241 messages can only be sent if client has joined to some channel.
1242 Even though this packet is the most common in SILC it is still
1243 special packet. Some special handling on sending and reception
1244 of channel message is required.
1246 Padding must be applied into this payload since the payload is
1247 encrypted separately from other parts of the packet with the
1248 channel specific key. Hence the requirement of the padding.
1249 The padding should be random data. The packet must be made
1250 multiple by eight (8) or by the block size of the cipher, which
1253 The SILC header in this packet is encrypted with the session key
1254 of the next receiver of the packet. Nothing else is encrypted
1255 with that key. Thus, the actual packet and padding to be
1256 encrypted with the session key is SILC Header plus padding to it
1257 to make it multiple by eight (8) or multiple by the block size
1258 of the cipher, which ever is larger.
1260 Receiver of the the channel message packet is able to determine
1261 the channel the message is destined to by checking the destination
1262 ID from the SILC Packet header which tells the destination channel.
1263 The original sender of the packet is also determined by checking
1264 the source ID from the header which tells the client who sent
1267 The payload may only be sent with SILC_PACKET_CHANNEL_MESSAGE packet.
1268 It must not be sent in any other packet type. Following diagram
1269 represents the Channel Message Payload.
1271 (*) indicates that the field is not encrypted.
1277 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
1278 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1279 | Message Length | |
1280 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +
1284 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1285 | Padding Length | |
1286 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +
1290 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1292 ~ Initial Vector * ~
1294 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1298 Figure 11: Channel Message Payload
1302 o Message Length (2 bytes) - Indicates the length of the
1303 the Message Data field in the payload, not including any
1306 o Message Data (variable length) - The actual message to
1309 o Padding Length (2 bytes) - Indicates the length of the
1310 Padding field in the payload, not including any other
1313 o Padding (variable length) - The padding that must be
1314 applied because this payload is encrypted separately from
1315 other parts of the packet.
1317 o Initial Vector (variable length) - The initial vector
1318 that has been used in packet encryption. It needs to be
1319 used in the packet decryption as well. What this field
1320 includes is implementation issue. However, it is
1321 recommended that it would be random data or, perhaps,
1322 a timestamp. It is not recommended to use zero (0) as
1323 initial vector. This field is not encrypted. This field
1324 is not included into the padding calculation. Length
1325 of this field equals the cipher's block size. This field
1326 is, however, authenticated.
1331 2.3.10 Channel Key Payload
1333 All traffic in channels are protected by channel specific keys.
1334 Channel Key Payload is used to distribute channel keys to all
1335 clients on the particular channel. Channel keys are sent when
1336 the channel is created, when new user joins to the channel and
1337 whenever a user has left a channel. Server creates the new
1338 channel key and distributes it to the clients by encrypting this
1339 payload with the session key shared between the server and
1340 the client. After that, client starts using the key received
1341 in this payload to protect the traffic on the channel.
1343 Channel keys are cell specific thus every router in cell have
1344 to create a channel key and distribute it if any client in the
1345 cell has joined to a channel. Channel traffic between cell's
1346 are not encrypted using channel keys, they are encrypted using
1347 normal session keys between two routers. Inside a cell, all
1348 channel traffic is encrypted with the specified channel key.
1349 Channel key should expire periodically, say, in one hour, in
1350 which case new channel key is created and distributed.
1352 The payload may only be sent with SILC_PACKET_CHANNEL_KEY packet.
1353 It must not be sent in any other packet type. Following diagram
1354 represents the Channel Key Payload.
1371 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
1372 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1373 | Channel ID Length | |
1374 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +
1378 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1379 | Cipher Name Length | |
1380 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +
1384 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1385 | Channel Key Length | |
1386 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +
1390 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1394 Figure 12: Channel Key Payload
1399 o Channel ID Length (2 bytes) - Indicates the length of the
1400 Channel ID field in the payload, not including any other
1403 o Channel ID (variable length) - The Channel ID of the
1404 channel this key is meant for.
1406 o Cipher Name Length (2 bytes) - Indicates the length of the
1407 Cipher name field in the payload, not including any other
1410 o Cipher Name (variable length) - Name of the cipher used
1411 in the protection of channel traffic. This name is
1412 initially decided by the creator of the channel but it
1413 may change during the life time of the channel as well.
1415 o Channel Key Length (2 bytes) - Indicates the length of the
1416 Channel Key field in the payload, not including any other
1419 o Channel Key (variable length) - The actual channel key
1420 material. This key is used as such as key material for
1421 encryption function.
1426 2.3.11 Private Message Payload
1428 Private Message Payload is used to send private message between
1429 two clients (or users for that matter). The messages are sent only
1430 to the specified user and no other user inside SILC network is
1431 able to see the message. The message is protected by the session
1432 key established by the SILC Key Exchange Protocol. However,
1433 it is also possible to agree to use specific keys to protect
1434 just the private messages. See section 2.3.11 Private Message
1435 Key Payload for detailed description of how to agree to use
1438 If normal session key is used to protect the message, every
1439 server between the sender client and the receiving client needs
1440 to decrypt the packet and always re-encrypt it with the session
1441 key of the next receiver of the packet. See section Client
1442 To Client in [SILC1].
1444 When specific key is used to protect the message, servers between
1445 the sender and the receiver needs not to decrypt/re-encrypt the
1446 packet. Section 4.8.2 Client To Client in [SILC1] gives example of
1447 this scheme as well.
1449 The payload may only be sent with SILC_PACKET_PRIVATE_MESSAGE
1450 packet. It must not be sent in any other packet type. Following
1451 diagram represents the Private Message Payload.
1457 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
1458 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1459 | Nickname Length | |
1460 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +
1464 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1468 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1472 Figure 13: Private Message Payload
1476 o Nickname Length (2 bytes) - Indicates the length of the
1477 Nickname field, not including any other field.
1479 o Nickname (variable length) - Nickname of the sender of the
1480 private message. This should not be trusted as a definite
1481 sender of the private message. The SILC Packet Header in
1482 the packet indicates the true sender of the packet and
1483 client should verify that the nickname sent here belongs
1484 to the Client ID in the SILC Packet Header. This nickname
1485 is merely provided to be displayed by the client.
1487 o Message Data (variable length) - The actual message to
1488 the client. Rest of the packet is reserved for the message
1494 2.3.12 Private Message Key Payload
1496 This payload is used to send key from client to another client that
1497 is going to be used to protect the private messages between these
1498 two clients. If this payload is not sent normal session key
1499 established by the SILC Key Exchange Protocol is used to protect
1500 the private messages.
1502 This payload may only be sent by client to another client. Server
1503 must not send this payload at any time. After sending this payload
1504 the sender of private messages must set the Private Message Key
1505 flag into SILC Packet Header.
1507 The payload may only be sent with SILC_PACKET_PRIVATE_MESSAGE_KEY
1508 packet. It must not be sent in any other packet type. Following
1509 diagram represents the Private Message Key Payload.
1515 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
1516 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1517 | Private Message Key Length | |
1518 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +
1520 ~ Private Message Key ~
1522 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1526 Figure 14: Private Message Key Payload
1532 o Private Message Key Length (2 bytes) - Indicates the length
1533 of the Private Message Key field in the payload, not including
1536 o Private Message Key (variable length) - The actual private
1537 message key material. This key is used as such as key material
1538 for encryption function.
1543 2.3.13 Command Payload
1545 Command Payload is used to send SILC commands from client to server.
1546 Also server may send commands to other servers. Following diagram
1547 represents the Command Payload.
1553 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
1554 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1555 | Payload Length | SILC Command | Arguments Num |
1556 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1558 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1562 Figure 15: Command Payload
1566 o Payload Length (2 bytes) - Length of the entire command
1567 payload including any command argument payloads associated
1570 o SILC Command (1 byte) - SILC Command identifier. This must
1571 be set to non-zero value. If zero (0) value is found in this
1572 field the packet must be discarded.
1574 o Arguments Num (1 byte) - Indicates the number of arguments
1575 associated with the command. If there are no arguments this
1576 field is set to zero (0). The arguments must follow the
1577 command payload. See section 2.3.2.2 for definition of the
1580 o Command Unifier (2 bytes) - Unifies this command at the
1581 sender's end. The entity who replies to this command must
1582 set the value found from this field into the Command Payload
1583 used to send the reply to the sender. This way the sender
1584 can identify which command reply belongs to which originally
1585 sent command. What this field includes is implementation
1586 issue but it is recommended that wrapping counter value is
1587 used in the field. Value zero (0) in this field means that
1588 no specific value is set.
1591 See [SILC1] for detailed description of different SILC commands,
1592 their arguments and their reply messages.
1596 2.3.14 Command Reply Payload
1598 Command Reply Payload is used to send replies to the commands. The
1599 Command Reply Payload is identical to the Command Payload thus see the
1600 upper sections for Command Payload and for Command Argument Payload
1601 specifications. Command Reply message uses the Command Argument Payload
1604 The entity who sends the reply packet must set the Command Unifier
1605 field in the reply packet's Command Payload to the value it received
1606 in the original command packet.
1608 See SILC Commands in [SILC1] for detailed description of different
1609 SILC commands, their arguments and their reply messages.
1613 2.3.15 Connection Auth Request Payload
1615 Client may send this payload to server to request the authentication
1616 method that must be used in authentication protocol. If client knows
1617 this information beforehand this payload is not necessary to be sent.
1618 Server performing authentication with another server may also send
1619 this payload to request the authentication method. If the connecting
1620 server already knows this information this payload is not necessary
1623 Server receiving this request must reply with same payload sending
1624 the mandatory authentication method. Algorithms that may be required
1625 to be used by the authentication method are the ones already
1626 established by the SILC Key Exchange protocol. See section Key
1627 Exchange Start Payload in [SILC3] for detailed information.
1629 The payload may only be sent with SILC_PACKET_CONNECTION_AUTH_REQUEST
1630 packet. It must not be sent in any other packet type. Following
1631 diagram represents the Connection Auth Request Payload.
1637 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
1638 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1639 | Connection Type | Authentication Method |
1640 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1644 Figure 16: Connection Auth Request Payload
1648 o Connection Type (2 bytes) - Indicates the type of the ID.
1649 Following connection types are defined:
1655 If any other type is found in this field the packet must be
1656 discarded and the authentication must be failed.
1658 o Authentication Method (2 bytes) - Indicates the authentication
1659 method to be used in the authentication protocol. Following
1660 authentication methods are defined:
1665 1 password (mandatory)
1666 2 public key (mandatory)
1668 If any other type is found in this field the packet must be
1669 discarded and the authentication must be failed. If this
1670 payload is sent as request to receive the mandatory
1671 authentication method this field must be set to zero (0),
1672 indicating that receiver should send the mandatory
1673 authentication method. The receiver sending this payload
1674 to the requesting party, may also set this field to zero (0)
1675 to indicate that authentication is not required. In this
1676 case authentication protocol still must be started but
1677 server is most likely to respond with SILC_PACKET_SUCCESS
1683 2.3.16 New ID Payload
1685 New ID Payload is a multipurpose payload. It is used to send newly
1686 created ID's from clients and servers. When client connects to server
1687 and registers itself to the server by sending SILC_PACKET_NEW_CLIENT
1688 packet, server replies with this packet by sending the created ID for
1689 the client. Server always creates the ID for the client.
1691 This payload is also used when server tells its router that new client
1692 has registered to the SILC network. In this case the server sends
1693 the Client ID of the client to the router. Similary when router
1694 distributes information to other routers about the client in the SILC
1695 network this payload is used.
1697 Also, when server connects to router, router uses this payload to inform
1698 other routers about new server in the SILC network. However, every
1699 server (or router) creates their own ID's thus the ID distributed by
1700 this payload is not created by the distributor in this case. Servers
1701 create their own ID's. Server registers itself to the network by sending
1702 SILC_PACKET_NEW_SERVER to the router it connected to. The case is same
1703 when router connects to another router.
1705 However, this payload is not and must not be used to send information
1706 about new channels. New channels are always distributed by sending the
1707 dedicated SILC_PACKET_NEW_CHANNEL packet.
1709 Hence, this payload is very important and used every time when some
1710 new entity is registered to the SILC network. Client never sends this
1711 payload. Both client and server (and router) may receive this payload.
1713 The packet uses generic ID Payload as New ID Payload. See section
1714 2.3.2.1 for generic ID Payload.
1718 2.3.17 New ID List Payload
1720 New ID List Payload is used to distribute list of ID's usually from
1721 server to router but also from router to other routers in the network.
1722 This payload is used, for example, when server is connected to router
1723 and the server wants to distribute all of its locally connected clients
1724 and locally created channels to the router. It is convenient in this
1725 case to use this payload instead of sending all the information one
1726 by one using New ID Payload.
1728 There is no specific payload for this packet type. The packet type
1729 uses same payload as described in previous section. To form a list
1730 several payloads is put in the packet each after each. The payload
1731 is variable in length but can be calculated by calculating the ID
1732 Type field, Length field and the ID Data fields together. This forms
1733 one New ID Payload in the list.
1735 The list of payloads may only be sent with SILC_PACKET_NEW_ID_LIST
1736 packet. They must not be sent in any other packet type.
1740 2.3.18 New Client Payload
1742 When client is connected to the server, keys has been exchanged and
1743 connection has been authenticated client must register itself to the
1744 server. Clients first packet after key exchange and authentication
1745 protocols must be SILC_PACKET_NEW_CLIENT. This payload tells server all
1746 the relevant information about the connected user. Server creates a new
1747 client ID for the client when received this payload and sends it to the
1748 client in New ID Payload.
1750 This payload sends username and real name of the user on the remote host
1751 which is connected to the SILC server with SILC client. The server
1752 creates the client ID according the information sent in this payload.
1753 The nickname of the user becomes the username sent in this payload.
1754 However, client should call NICK command after sending this payload to
1755 set the real nickname of the user which is then used to create new
1758 The payload may only be sent with SILC_PACKET_NEW_CLIENT packet. It
1759 must not be sent in any other packet type. Following diagram represents
1760 the New Client Payload.
1767 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
1768 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1769 | Username Length | |
1770 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +
1774 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1775 | Real Name Length | |
1776 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +
1780 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1784 Figure 17: New Client Payload
1788 o Username Length (2 bytes) - Length of the username.
1790 o Username (variable length) - The username of the user on
1791 the host where connecting to the SILC server.
1793 o Real Name Length (2 bytes) - Length of the Real Name.
1795 o Real Name (variable length) - The real name of the user
1796 on the host where connecting to the SILC server.
1801 2.3.19 New Server Payload
1803 This payload is sent by server when it has completed successfully both
1804 key exchange and connection authentication protocols. The server
1805 uses this payload to register itself to the SILC network. The
1806 first packet after these key exchange and authentication protocols
1807 is SILC_PACKET_NEW_SERVER packet. The payload includes the Server ID
1808 of the server that it has created by itself. It also includes a
1809 name of the server that is associated to the Server ID.
1811 The payload may only be sent with SILC_PACKET_NEW_SERVER packet. It
1812 must not be sent in any other packet type. Following diagram represents
1813 the New Server Payload.
1822 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
1823 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1824 | Server ID Length | |
1825 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +
1829 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1830 | Server Name Length | |
1831 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +
1835 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1839 Figure 18: New Server Payload
1843 o Server ID Length (2 bytes) - Length of the ID Data area not
1844 including the length of any other fields in the payload.
1846 o Server ID Data (variable length) - The actual Server ID
1849 o Server Name Length (2 bytes) - Length of the server name.
1851 o Server Name (variable length) - The server name.
1856 2.3.20 New Channel Payload
1858 Information about newly created channel is broadcasted to all routers
1859 in the SILC network by sending this packet payload. Channels are
1860 created by router of the cell. Server never creates channels unless
1861 it is a standalone server and it does not have router connection,
1862 in this case server acts as router. Normal server forwards JOIN command
1863 to the router (after it has received JOIN command from client) which
1864 then processes the command and creates the channel. Client never sends
1867 The payload may only be sent with SILC_PACKET_NEW_CHANNEL packet.
1868 It must not be sent in any other packet type. Following diagram
1869 represents the New Channel Payload.
1877 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
1878 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1879 | Channel Name Length | |
1880 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +
1884 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1885 | Channel ID Length | |
1886 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +
1890 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1894 Figure 19: New Channel Payload
1899 o Channel Name Length (2 bytes) - Length of the channel name.
1901 o Channel Name (variable length) - The name of the created
1904 o Channel ID Length (2 bytes) - Length of the Channel ID.
1906 o Channel ID (variable length) - The created Channel ID.
1911 2.3.21 New Channel User Payload
1913 When client (user) joins to a channel, server must notify routers
1914 about the new user on the channel. Normal server sends this packet
1915 payload to its router which then broadcasts the packet further.
1916 Router sends this packet always to its primary router. Client must
1917 not send this packet payload. The mode of the user is NONE after
1918 user has joined to the channel.
1920 The payload may only be sent with SILC_PACKET_NEW_CHANNEL_USER
1921 packet. It must not be sent in any other packet type. Following
1922 diagram represents the New Channel User Payload.
1932 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
1933 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1934 | Channel ID Length | |
1935 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +
1939 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1940 | Client ID Length | |
1941 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +
1945 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
1949 Figure 20: New Channel User Payload
1953 o Channel ID Length (2 bytes) - Length of the Channel ID.
1955 o Channel ID (variable length) - The Channel ID of the channel
1956 to which the client has joined.
1958 o Client ID Length (2 bytes) - Length of the Client ID.
1960 o Client ID (variable length) - The Client ID of the client
1961 who has joined the channel.
1966 2.3.22 New Channel List Payload
1968 This payload is used to distribute list of new channels from server
1969 to routers. It might convenient to send list of new channels when
1970 existing server connects to router, instead of sending them one
1973 There is no specific payload for this packet type. The packet type
1974 uses same payload as described in 2.3.19 New Channel Payload. To form
1975 a list several payloads is put in the packet each after each. The
1976 payload is variable in length but can be calculated by calculating
1977 the length of the fields together. This forms one New Channel Payload
1980 The list of payloads may only be sent with SILC_PACKET_NEW_CHANNEL_LIST
1981 packet. They must not be sent in any other packet type.
1985 2.3.23 New Channel User List Payload
1987 This payload is used to distribute list of channel users on specific
1988 channel from server to routers. It might convenient to send list of
1989 channel users when existing server connects to router, instead of
1990 sending them one by one.
1992 There is no specific payload for this packet type. The packet type
1993 uses same payload as described in 2.3.20 New Channel User Payload.
1994 To form a list several payloads is put in the packet each after each.
1995 The payload is variable in length but can be calculated by calculating
1996 the length of the fields together. This forms one New Channel User
1997 Payload in the list.
1999 The list of payloads may only be sent with packet
2000 SILC_PACKET_NEW_CHANNEL_USER_LIST. They must not be sent in any other
2005 2.3.24 Replace ID Payload
2007 This payload is used to replace old ID with new ID sent in the payload.
2008 When ID changes for some entity and the new ID is wanted to replace the
2009 old one this payload must be used. Client cannot send or receive this
2010 payload. Normal server and router server may send and receive this
2011 payload. After this packet has been sent the old ID must not be used
2014 The payload may only be sent with SILC_PACKET_REPLACE_ID packet. It must
2015 not be sent in any other packet type. Following diagram represents the
2016 Replace Payload Payload.
2023 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
2024 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
2025 | Old ID Type | Old ID Length |
2026 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
2030 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
2031 | New ID Type | New ID Length |
2032 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
2036 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
2040 Figure 21: Replace ID Payload
2044 o Old ID Type (2 bytes) - Indicates the type of the old ID. See
2045 section 2.4 SILC ID Types for list of defined ID types.
2047 o Old ID Length (2 bytes) - Length of the old ID Data area not
2048 including the length of any other fields in the payload.
2050 o Old ID Data (variable length) - The actual old ID data.
2052 o New ID Type (2 bytes) - Indicates the type of the new ID. See
2053 section 2.4 SILC ID Types for list of defined ID types.
2055 o New ID Length (2 bytes) - Length of the new ID Data area not
2056 including the length of any other fields in the payload.
2058 o New ID Data (variable length) - The actual new ID data.
2063 2.3.25 Remove ID Payload
2065 Remove ID payload is used to remove ID from SILC network. This is used
2066 when client, server, router or channel is removed from the SILC network.
2067 After this payload has been send the old ID must not be used anymore.
2068 Client must not send or receive this payload.
2070 The packet uses generic ID Payload as New ID Payload. See section
2071 2.3.2.1 for generic ID Payload.
2075 2.3.26 Remove Channel User Payload
2077 Remove Channel User payload is used to remove a user from a channel network
2078 wide. This is used by routers to notify other routers that a user has
2079 left a channel. As routers keep information about users on channels a
2080 user leaving channel must be removed from all routers. Normal server may
2081 send this payload as well. Client must not send this payload.
2083 The payload may only be sent with SILC_PACKET_REMOVE_CHANNEL USER packet.
2084 It must not be sent in any other packet type. Following diagram
2085 represents the Remove Payload Payload.
2094 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 1
2095 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
2096 | Client ID Length | |
2097 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +
2101 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
2102 | Channel ID Length | |
2103 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+ +
2107 +-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+-+
2111 Figure 22: Remove Channel User Payload
2115 o Client ID Length (2 bytes) - Length of the Client ID Data area
2116 not including the length of any other fields in the payload.
2118 o Client ID Data (variable length) - The Client ID of the user
2119 that has left the channel.
2121 o Channel ID Length (2 bytes) - Length of the Channel ID Data area
2122 not including the length of any other fields in the payload.
2124 o Channel ID Data (variable length) - The Channel ID of the channel
2133 ID's are extensively used in the SILC network to associate different
2134 entities. Following ID's has been defined to be used in the SILC
2140 When ever specific ID cannot be used this is used.
2144 Server ID to associate servers. See the format of
2149 Client ID to associate clients. See the format of
2154 Channel ID to associate channels. See the format of
2160 2.5 Packet Encryption And Decryption
2162 SILC packets are encrypted almost entirely. Only small part of SILC
2163 header is not encrypted as described in section 5.2 SILC Packet Header.
2164 The SILC Packet header is the first part of a packet to be encrypted
2165 and it is always encrypted with the key of the next receiver of the
2166 packet. The data payload area of the packet is always entirely
2167 encrypted and it is usually encrypted with the next receiver's key.
2168 However, there are some special packet types and packet payloads
2169 that require special encryption process. These special cases are
2170 described in the next sections. First is described the normal packet
2175 2.5.1 Normal Packet Encryption And Decryption
2177 Normal SILC packets are encrypted with the session key of the next
2178 receiver of the packet. The entire SILC Packet header and the packet
2179 data payload is is also encrypted with the same key. Padding of the
2180 packet is also encrypted always with the session key, also in special
2181 cases. Computed MAC of the packet must not be encrypted.
2183 Decryption process in these cases are straightforward. The receiver
2184 of the packet must first decrypt the SILC Packet header, or some parts
2185 of it, usually first 16 bytes of it. Then the receiver checks the
2186 packet type from the decrypted part of the header and can determine
2187 how the rest of the packet must be decrypted. If the packet type is
2188 any of the special cases described in following sections the packet
2189 decryption is special. If the packet type is not among those special
2190 packet types rest of the packet may be decrypted with the same key.
2192 Also, note that two bytes of the SILC Packet header are not encrypted
2193 thus it must be noticed in the decryption process by starting the
2194 decryption from the second byte of the header. This sets some rules
2195 to padding generation as well, see the section 2.7 Packet Padding
2198 With out a doubt, this sort of decryption processing causes some
2199 overhead to packet decryption, but never the less, is required.
2203 2.5.2 Channel Message Encryption And Decryption
2205 Channel Messages (Channel Message Payload) are always encrypted with
2206 the channel specific key. However, the SILC Packet header is not
2207 encrypted with that key. As in normal case, the header is encrypted
2208 with the key of the next receiver of the packet, who ever that might
2209 be. Note that in this case the encrypted data area is not touched
2210 at all; it must not be re-encrypted with the session key.
2212 Receiver of a channel message, who ever that is, is required to decrypt
2213 the SILC Packet header to be able to even recognize the packet to be as
2214 channel message. This is same procedure as for normal SILC packets.
2215 As the receiver founds the packet to be channel message, rest of the
2216 packet processing is special. Rest of the SILC Packet header is
2217 decrypted with the same session key along with the padding of the
2218 packet. After that the packet is protected with the channel specific
2219 key and hence can be decrypted only if the receiver is the client on
2220 the channel. See section 2.7 Packet Padding Generation for more
2221 information about padding on special packets.
2223 If the receiver of the channel message is router who is routing the
2224 message to another router then it must decrypt the Channel Message
2225 payload. Between routers (that is, between cells) channel messages
2226 are protected with session keys shared between the routers. This
2227 causes another special packet processing for channel messages. If
2228 the channel message is received from another router then the entire
2229 packet, including Channel Message payload, is encrypted with the
2230 session key shared between the routers. In this case the packet
2231 decryption process is as with normal SILC packets. Hence, if the
2232 router is sending channel message to another router the Channel
2233 Message payload must have been decrypted and must be re-encrypted
2234 with the session key shared between the another router. In this
2235 case the packet encryption is as with any normal SILC packet.
2237 It must be noted that this is only when the channel messages are sent
2238 from router to another router. In all other cases the channel
2239 message encryption and decryption is as described above. This
2240 different processing of channel messages with router to router
2241 connection is because channel keys are cell specific. All cells has
2242 their own channel keys thus the channel message traveling from one
2243 cell to another must be protected as it would be any normal SILC
2248 2.5.3 Private Message Encryption And Decryption
2250 By default, private message in SILC are protected by session keys.
2251 In this case the private message encryption and decryption process is
2252 equivalent to normal packet encryption and decryption.
2254 However, private messages can be protected with private message key
2255 which causes the packet to be special packet. The procedure in this
2256 case is very much alike to channel packets. The actual private message
2257 is encrypted with the private message key and other parts of the
2258 packet is encrypted with the session key. See 2.7 Packet Padding
2259 Generation for more information about padding on special packets.
2261 The difference from channel message processing is that server or router
2262 en route never decrypts the actual private message, as it does not
2263 have the key to do that. Thus, when sending packets between router
2264 the processing is same as in any other case as well; the packet's header
2265 and padding is protected by the session key and the data area is not
2268 The true receiver of the private message, client, that is, is able
2269 to decrypt the private message as it shares the key with the sender
2274 2.6 Packet MAC Generation
2276 Data integrity of a packet is protected by including a message
2277 authentication code (MAC) at the end of the packet. The MAC is computed
2278 from shared secret MAC key, that is established by the SILC Key Exchange
2279 protocol, and from the original contents of the packet. The MAC is
2280 always computed before the packet is encrypted, although after it is
2281 compressed if compression is used.
2283 The MAC is computed from entire packet. Every bit of data in the packet,
2284 including SILC Packet Header is used in the MAC computing. This way
2285 the entire packet becomes authenticated.
2287 If the packet is special packet MAC is computed from the entire packet
2288 but part of the packet may be encrypted before the MAC is computed.
2289 This is case, for example, with channel messages where the message data
2290 is encrypted with key that server may not now. In this case the MAC
2291 has been computed from the encrypted data.
2293 See [SILC1] for defined and allowed MAC algorithms.
2297 2.7 Packet Padding Generation
2299 Padding is needed in the packet because the packet is encrypted. It
2300 must always be multiple by eight (8) or multiple by the size of the
2301 cipher's block size, which ever is larger. The padding is always
2304 For normal packets the padding is added after the SILC Packet Header
2305 and between the Data Payload area. The padding for normal packets
2306 are calculated as follows:
2309 padding length = 16 - ((packet length - 2) % 16)
2312 The 16 is the maximum padding allowed in SILC packet. Two (2) is
2313 subtracted from the true length of the packet because two (2) bytes
2314 is not encrypted in SILC Packet Header, see section 2.2 SILC Packet
2315 Header. Those two bytes that are not encrypted must not be calculated
2316 to the padding length.
2318 For special packets the padding calculation may be different as special
2319 packets may be encrypted differently. In these cases the encrypted
2320 data area must already be multiple by the block size thus in this case
2321 the padding is calculated only for SILC Packet Header, not for any
2322 other area of the packet. The same algorithm works in this case as
2323 well, except that the `packet length' is now the SILC Packet Header
2324 length. In this case, as well, two (2) is subtracted from the
2327 The padding must be random data, preferably, generated by
2328 cryptographically strong random number generator.
2332 2.8 Packet Compression
2334 SILC Packets may be compressed. In this case the data payload area
2335 is compressed and all other areas of the packet must remain as they
2336 are. After compression is performed for the data area, the length
2337 field of Packet Header must be set to the compressed length of the
2340 The compression must always be applied before encryption. When
2341 the packet is received and decrypted the data area must be decompressed.
2342 Note that the true sender of the packet must apply the compression and
2343 the true receiver of the packet must apply the decompression. Any
2344 server or router en route must not decompress the packet.
2351 The sender of the packet must assemble the SILC Packet Header with
2352 correct values. It must set the Source ID of the header as its own
2353 ID, unless it is forwarding the packet. It must also set the Destination
2354 ID of the header to the true destination. If the destination is client
2355 it will be Client ID, if it is server it will be Server ID and if it is
2356 channel it will be Channel ID.
2358 If the sender wants to compress the packet it must apply the
2359 compression now. Sender must also compute the padding as described
2360 in above sections. Then sender must compute the MAC of the packet.
2362 Then sender encrypts the packet as has been described in above
2363 sections according whether the packet is normal packet or special
2364 packet. The computed MAC must not be encrypted.
2368 2.10 Packet Reception
2370 On packet reception the receiver must check that all fields in the
2371 SILC Packet Header are valid. It must check the flags of the
2372 header and act accordingly. It must also check the MAC of the packet
2373 and if it is to be failed the packet must be discarded. Also if the
2374 header of the packet includes any bad fields the packet must be
2377 See above sections on the decryption process of the received packet.
2379 The receiver must also check that the ID's in the header are valid
2380 ID's. Unsupported ID types or malformed ID's must cause packet
2381 rejection. The padding on the reception is always ignored.
2383 The receiver must also check the packet type and start parsing the
2384 packet according to the type. However, note the above sections on
2385 special packet types and their parsing.
2391 Routers are the primary entities in the SILC network that takes care
2392 of packet routing. However, normal servers routes packets as well, for
2393 example, when they are routing channel message to the local clients.
2394 Routing is quite simple as every packet tells the true origin and the
2395 true destination of the packet.
2397 It is still recommended for routers that has several routing connections
2398 to create route cache for those destinations that has faster route than
2399 the router's primary route. This information is available for the router
2400 when other router connects to the router. The connecting party then
2401 sends all of its locally connected clients, server and channels. These
2402 informations helps to create the route cache. Also, when new channels
2403 are created to a cell its information is broadcasted to all routers
2404 in the network. Channel ID's are based on router's ID thus it is easy
2405 to create route cache based on these informations. If faster route for
2406 destination does not exist in router's route cache the packet must be
2407 routed to the primary route (default route).
2409 For server who receives a packet to be routed to its locally connected
2410 client the server must check whether the particular packet type is
2411 allowed to be routed to the client. Not all packets may be sent by
2412 some odd entity to client that is indirectly connected to the sender.
2413 See section 2.3 SILC Packet Types and paragraph about indirectly connected
2414 entities and sending packets to them. The section mentions the packets
2415 that may be sent to indirectly connected entities. It is clear that some
2416 server cannot send, for example, disconnect packet to client that is not
2417 directly connected to the server.
2421 2.12 Packet Forwarding
2423 Currently SILC command packets may be forwarded from one entity to another.
2424 Any other packet currently cannot be forwarded but support for more packet
2425 types may be added if needed. Forwarding is usually used by server to
2426 forward some command request coming from client to the router as the server
2427 may be incapable to handle the request. Forwarding may be only one hop
2428 long; the receiver of the packet with Forwarded flag set in the SILC
2429 Packet header must not forward the packet any further.
2431 The normal scenario is that client sends JOIN command to the server which
2432 is not able to create the channel as there are no local clients on the
2433 channel. Channels are created always by the router of the cell thus the
2434 packet must be forwarded to the router. The server forwards the original
2435 packet coming from client to the router after it has set the Forwarded
2436 flag to the SILC Packet header.
2438 Router receiving the packet knows that the packet has to be processed
2439 specially by checking the flags and the Forwarded flag in the SILC Packet
2440 header. After router has joined the client to the channel (and perhaps
2441 created a new channel) it sends normal command reply packet to the
2442 client. However, as the router doesn't have direct connection to the
2443 client the packet is sent through the server. Server detects that
2444 the command reply packet is destined to the client and sends it to
2449 2.13 Packet Broadcasting
2451 SILC packets may be broadcasted in SILC network. However, only router
2452 server may send or receive broadcast packets. Client and normal server
2453 must not send broadcast packets and they must ignore broadcast packets
2454 if they receive them. Broadcast packets are sent by setting Broadcast
2455 flag to the SILC packet header.
2457 Broadcasting packets means that the packet is sent to all routers in
2458 the SILC network, except to the router that sent the packet. The router
2459 receiving broadcast packet must send the packet to its primary route.
2460 The fact that SILC routers may have several router connections may
2461 cause problems, such as race conditions inside the SILC network, if
2462 care is not taken when broadcasting packets. Router must not send
2463 the broadcast packet to any other route except to its primary route.
2465 If the primary route of the router is the original sender of the packet
2466 the packet must not be sent to the primary route. This may happen
2467 if router has several router connections and some other router uses
2468 the router as its primary route.
2470 Routers use broadcast packets to broadcast for example information
2471 about newly registered clients, servers, channels etc. so that all the
2472 routers may keep these informations up to date.
2476 2.14 Packet Tunneling
2478 Tunneling is a feature that is available in SILC protocol. Tunneling
2479 means that extra SILC Packet Header is applied to the original packet
2480 and thus hiding the original packet entirely. There can be some
2481 interesting applications using tunneling, such as, using ID's based on
2482 private network IP addresses inside in the tunneled packet. This can
2483 open many interesting features relating to connecting to private network
2484 from the Internet with SILC and many more. However, this feature is
2485 optional currently in SILC as there does not exist thorough analysis of
2486 this feature. It is with out a doubt that there will be many more
2487 applications that has not yet been discovered. Thus, it is left
2488 to Internet Community to investigate the use of tunneling in SILC
2489 protocol. This document is updated according those investigations
2490 and additional documents on the issue may be written.
2494 3 Security Considerations
2496 Security is central to the design of this protocol, and these security
2497 considerations permeate the specification. Common security considerations
2498 such as keeping private keys truly private and using adequate lengths for
2499 symmetric and asymmetric keys must be followed in order to maintain the
2500 security of this protocol.
2506 [SILC1] Riikonen, P., "Secure Internet Live Conferencing (SILC),
2507 Protocol Specification", Internet Draft, June 2000.
2509 [SILC3] Riikonen, P., "SILC Key Exchange and Authentication
2510 Protocols", Internet Draft, June 2000.
2512 [IRC] Oikarinen, J., and Reed D., "Internet Relay Chat Protocol",
2515 [SSH-TRANS] Ylonen, T., et al, "SSH Transport Layer Protocol",
2518 [PGP] Callas, J., et al, "OpenPGP Message Format", RFC 2440,
2521 [SPKI] Ellison C., et al, "SPKI Certificate Theory", RFC 2693,
2524 [PKIX-Part1] Housley, R., et al, "Internet X.509 Public Key
2525 Infrastructure, Certificate and CRL Profile", RFC 2459,
2528 [Schneier] Schneier, B., "Applied Cryptography Second Edition",
2529 John Wiley & Sons, New York, NY, 1996.
2531 [Menezes] Menezes, A., et al, "Handbook of Applied Cryptography",
2534 [OAKLEY] Orman, H., "The OAKLEY Key Determination Protocol",
2535 RFC 2412, November 1998.
2537 [ISAKMP] Maughan D., et al, "Internet Security Association and
2538 Key Management Protocol (ISAKMP)", RFC 2408, November
2541 [IKE] Harkins D., and Carrel D., "The Internet Key Exchange
2542 (IKE)", RFC 2409, November 1998.
2544 [HMAC] Krawczyk, H., "HMAC: Keyed-Hashing for Message
2545 Authentication", RFC 2104, February 1997.
2561 EMail: priikone@poseidon.pspt.fi
2563 This Internet-Draft expires 6 Jun 2001