Host Identity Protocol
Encyclopedia
The Host Identity Protocol (HIP) is a host identification technology for use on Internet Protocol
(IP) networks, such as the Internet
. The Internet has two main name spaces, IP address
es and the Domain Name System
. HIP separates the end-point identifier and locator roles of IP address
es. It introduces a Host Identity (HI) name space, based on a public key security infrastructure.
The Host Identity Protocol provides secure methods for IP multihoming
and mobile computing
.
In networks that implement the Host Identity Protocol, all occurrences of IP addresses in applications are eliminated and replaced with cryptographic host identifiers. The cryptographic keys are typically, but not necessarily, self-generated.
The effect of eliminating IP addresses in application and transport layers is a decoupling of the transport layer from the internetworking layer (Internet Layer
) in TCP/IP.
HIP was specified in the IETF HIP working group
. An Internet Research Task Force
(IRTF) HIP research group looks at the broader impacts of HIP.
The working group is chartered to produce Requests for Comments
on the "Experimental" track, but it is understood that their quality and security properties should match the standards track requirements. The main purpose for producing Experimental documents instead of standards track ones are the unknown effects that the mechanisms may have on applications and on the Internet in the large.
Internet Protocol
The Internet Protocol is the principal communications protocol used for relaying datagrams across an internetwork using the Internet Protocol Suite...
(IP) networks, such as the Internet
Internet
The Internet is a global system of interconnected computer networks that use the standard Internet protocol suite to serve billions of users worldwide...
. The Internet has two main name spaces, IP address
IP address
An Internet Protocol address is a numerical label assigned to each device participating in a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. An IP address serves two principal functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing...
es and the Domain Name System
Domain name system
The Domain Name System is a hierarchical distributed naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities...
. HIP separates the end-point identifier and locator roles of IP address
IP address
An Internet Protocol address is a numerical label assigned to each device participating in a computer network that uses the Internet Protocol for communication. An IP address serves two principal functions: host or network interface identification and location addressing...
es. It introduces a Host Identity (HI) name space, based on a public key security infrastructure.
The Host Identity Protocol provides secure methods for IP multihoming
Multihoming
Multihoming is a technique used to increase the reliability of the Internet connection for an IP network. As an adjective, it is typically used to describe a customer, rather than an Internet service provider network...
and mobile computing
Mobile computing
Mobile computing is a form of human–computer interaction by which a computer is expected to be transported during normal usage. Mobile computing has three aspects: mobile communication, mobile hardware, and mobile software...
.
In networks that implement the Host Identity Protocol, all occurrences of IP addresses in applications are eliminated and replaced with cryptographic host identifiers. The cryptographic keys are typically, but not necessarily, self-generated.
The effect of eliminating IP addresses in application and transport layers is a decoupling of the transport layer from the internetworking layer (Internet Layer
Internet layer
The internet layer or IP layer is a group of internetworking methods in the Internet protocol suite, commonly also called TCP/IP, which is the foundation of the Internet...
) in TCP/IP.
HIP was specified in the IETF HIP working group
Working group
A working group is an interdisciplinary collaboration of researchers working on new research activities that would be difficult to develop under traditional funding mechanisms . The lifespan of the WG can last anywhere between a few months and several years...
. An Internet Research Task Force
Internet Research Task Force
The Internet Research Task Force focuses on longer term research issues related to the Internet while the parallel organization, the Internet Engineering Task Force , focuses on the shorter term issues of engineering and standards making...
(IRTF) HIP research group looks at the broader impacts of HIP.
The working group is chartered to produce Requests for Comments
Request for Comments
In computer network engineering, a Request for Comments is a memorandum published by the Internet Engineering Task Force describing methods, behaviors, research, or innovations applicable to the working of the Internet and Internet-connected systems.Through the Internet Society, engineers and...
on the "Experimental" track, but it is understood that their quality and security properties should match the standards track requirements. The main purpose for producing Experimental documents instead of standards track ones are the unknown effects that the mechanisms may have on applications and on the Internet in the large.
RFC references
- RFC 4423 - Host Identity Protocol (HIP) Architecture (early "informational" snapshot)
- RFC 5201 - Host Identity Protocol base
- RFC 5202 - Using the Encapsulating Security Payload (ESP) Transport Format with the Host Identity Protocol (HIP)
- RFC 5203 - Host Identity Protocol (HIP) Registration Extension
- RFC 5204 - Host Identity Protocol (HIP) Rendezvous Extension
- RFC 5205 - Host Identity Protocol (HIP) Domain Name System (DNS) Extension
- RFC 5206 - End-Host Mobility and Multihoming with the Host Identity Protocol
- RFC 5207 - NAT and Firewall Traversal Issues of Host Identity Protocol (HIP) Communication