IPSec

In computing, Internet Protocol Security (IPsec), a for secure (IP) communications, works by authenticating and encrypting each IP packet of a communication session. IPsec includes protocols for establishing mutual authentication between agents at the beginning of the session and negotiation of cryptographic keys for use during the session. IPsec can protect data flows between a pair of hosts (host-to-host), between a pair of security gateways (network-to-network), or between a security gateway and a host (network-to-host). Internet Protocol security (IPsec) uses cryptographic security services to protect communications over Internet Protocol (IP) networks. IPsec supports network-level peer authentication, data-origin authentication, data integrity, data confidentiality (encryption), and replay protection.

IPsec is an end-to-end security scheme operating in the Internet Layer of the , while some other Internet security systems in widespread use, such as Transport Layer Security (TLS) and Secure Shell (SSH), operate in the at the Transport Layer (TLS) and the Application layer (SSH). Hence, only IPsec protects all application traffic over an IP network. IPsec can automatically secure applications at the IP layer.

In December 1993, the Software IP Encryption protocol was researched at Columbia University and AT&T Bell Labs by John Ioannidis and others.

Based on the funding from the Clinton administration in hosting whitehouse.gov email (from June 1 of 1993 to January 20 of 1995) at Trusted Information Systems, Wei Xu started in July 1994 the research on IP Security, enhanced the IP protocols, developed the IPSec product on the BSDI platform, and quickly extended it on to Sun OS, HP UX, and other UNIX systems. Upon the success, Wei was facing another challenge by the slow performance of computing DES and Triple DES. The assembly software encryption was unable to support even a T1 speed under the Intel 80386 architecture. By exporting the Crypto cards from Germany, Wei further developed an automated device driver, known as plug-and-play today, in integrating with the hardware Crypto. After achieving the throughput much higher than a T1s, Wei Xu finally made the commercial product practically feasible, that was released as a part of the well-known Gauntlet firewall. In December 1994, it was deployed for the first time in production for securing some remote sites between east and west coastal states of the United States.

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