tinc/doc/tinc.info

This is tinc.info, produced by makeinfo version 4.13 from tinc.texi.

INFO-DIR-SECTION Networking tools
START-INFO-DIR-ENTRY
* tinc: (tinc).              The tinc Manual.
END-INFO-DIR-ENTRY

   This is the info manual for tinc version 1.1pre7, a Virtual Private
Network daemon.

   Copyright (C) 1998-2013 Ivo Timmermans, Guus Sliepen
<guus@tinc-vpn.org> and Wessel Dankers <wsl@tinc-vpn.org>.

   Permission is granted to make and distribute verbatim copies of this
manual provided the copyright notice and this permission notice are
preserved on all copies.

   Permission is granted to copy and distribute modified versions of
this manual under the conditions for verbatim copying, provided that the
entire resulting derived work is distributed under the terms of a
permission notice identical to this one.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Top,  Next: Introduction,  Up: (dir)

Top
***

* Menu:

* Introduction::
* Preparations::
* Installation::
* Configuration::
* Running tinc::
* Controlling tinc::
* Technical information::
* Platform specific information::
* About us::
* Concept Index::               All used terms explained


File: tinc.info,  Node: Introduction,  Next: Preparations,  Prev: Top,  Up: Top

1 Introduction
**************

Tinc is a Virtual Private Network (VPN) daemon that uses tunneling and
encryption to create a secure private network between hosts on the
Internet.

Because the tunnel appears to the IP level network code as a normal
network device, there is no need to adapt any existing software.  The
encrypted tunnels allows VPN sites to share information with each other
over the Internet without exposing any information to others.

This document is the manual for tinc.  Included are chapters on how to
configure your computer to use tinc, as well as the configuration
process of tinc itself.

* Menu:

* Virtual Private Networks::
* tinc::                        About tinc
* Supported platforms::


File: tinc.info,  Node: Virtual Private Networks,  Next: tinc,  Up: Introduction

1.1 Virtual Private Networks
============================

A Virtual Private Network or VPN is a network that can only be accessed
by a few elected computers that participate.  This goal is achievable in
more than just one way.

Private networks can consist of a single stand-alone Ethernet LAN.  Or
even two computers hooked up using a null-modem cable.  In these cases,
it is obvious that the network is _private_, no one can access it from
the outside.  But if your computers are linked to the Internet, the
network is not private anymore, unless one uses firewalls to block all
private traffic.  But then, there is no way to send private data to
trusted computers on the other end of the Internet.

This problem can be solved by using _virtual_ networks.  Virtual
networks can live on top of other networks, but they use encapsulation
to keep using their private address space so they do not interfere with
the Internet.  Mostly, virtual networks appear like a single LAN, even
though they can span the entire world.  But virtual networks can't be
secured by using firewalls, because the traffic that flows through it
has to go through the Internet, where other people can look at it.

As is the case with either type of VPN, anybody could eavesdrop.  Or
worse, alter data.  Hence it's probably advisable to encrypt the data
that flows over the network.

When one introduces encryption, we can form a true VPN.  Other people
may see encrypted traffic, but if they don't know how to decipher it
(they need to know the key for that), they cannot read the information
that flows through the VPN.  This is what tinc was made for.


File: tinc.info,  Node: tinc,  Next: Supported platforms,  Prev: Virtual Private Networks,  Up: Introduction

1.2 tinc
========

I really don't quite remember what got us started, but it must have been
Guus' idea.  He wrote a simple implementation (about 50 lines of C) that
used the ethertap device that Linux knows of since somewhere about
kernel 2.1.60.  It didn't work immediately and he improved it a bit.
At this stage, the project was still simply called "vpnd".

Since then, a lot has changed--to say the least.

Tinc now supports encryption, it consists of a single daemon (tincd) for
both the receiving and sending end, it has become largely
runtime-configurable--in short, it has become a full-fledged
professional package.

Tinc also allows more than two sites to connect to eachother and form a
single VPN.  Traditionally VPNs are created by making tunnels, which
only have two endpoints.  Larger VPNs with more sites are created by
adding more tunnels.  Tinc takes another approach: only endpoints are
specified, the software itself will take care of creating the tunnels.
This allows for easier configuration and improved scalability.

A lot can--and will be--changed. We have a number of things that we
would like to see in the future releases of tinc.  Not everything will
be available in the near future.  Our first objective is to make tinc
work perfectly as it stands, and then add more advanced features.

Meanwhile, we're always open-minded towards new ideas.  And we're
available too.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Supported platforms,  Prev: tinc,  Up: Introduction

1.3 Supported platforms
=======================

Tinc has been verified to work under Linux, FreeBSD, OpenBSD, NetBSD,
MacOS/X (Darwin), Solaris, and Windows (both natively and in a Cygwin
environment), with various hardware architectures.  These are some of
the platforms that are supported by the universal tun/tap device driver
or other virtual network device drivers.  Without such a driver, tinc
will most likely compile and run, but it will not be able to send or
receive data packets.

For an up to date list of supported platforms, please check the list on
our website: `http://www.tinc-vpn.org/platforms/'.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Preparations,  Next: Installation,  Prev: Introduction,  Up: Top

2 Preparations
**************

This chapter contains information on how to prepare your system to
support tinc.

* Menu:

* Configuring the kernel::
* Libraries::


File: tinc.info,  Node: Configuring the kernel,  Next: Libraries,  Up: Preparations

2.1 Configuring the kernel
==========================

* Menu:

* Configuration of Linux kernels::
* Configuration of FreeBSD kernels::
* Configuration of OpenBSD kernels::
* Configuration of NetBSD kernels::
* Configuration of Solaris kernels::
* Configuration of Darwin (MacOS/X) kernels::
* Configuration of Windows::


File: tinc.info,  Node: Configuration of Linux kernels,  Next: Configuration of FreeBSD kernels,  Up: Configuring the kernel

2.1.1 Configuration of Linux kernels
------------------------------------

For tinc to work, you need a kernel that supports the Universal tun/tap
device.  Most distributions come with kernels that already support this.
Here are the options you have to turn on when configuring a new kernel:

     Code maturity level options
     [*] Prompt for development and/or incomplete code/drivers
     Network device support
     <M> Universal tun/tap device driver support

It's not necessary to compile this driver as a module, even if you are
going to run more than one instance of tinc.

If you decide to build the tun/tap driver as a kernel module, add these
lines to `/etc/modules.conf':

     alias char-major-10-200 tun


File: tinc.info,  Node: Configuration of FreeBSD kernels,  Next: Configuration of OpenBSD kernels,  Prev: Configuration of Linux kernels,  Up: Configuring the kernel

2.1.2 Configuration of FreeBSD kernels
--------------------------------------

For FreeBSD version 4.1 and higher, tun and tap drivers are included in
the default kernel configuration.  The tap driver can be loaded with
`kldload if_tap', or by adding `if_tap_load="YES"' to
`/boot/loader.conf'.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Configuration of OpenBSD kernels,  Next: Configuration of NetBSD kernels,  Prev: Configuration of FreeBSD kernels,  Up: Configuring the kernel

2.1.3 Configuration of OpenBSD kernels
--------------------------------------

For OpenBSD version 2.9 and higher, the tun driver is included in the
default kernel configuration.  There is also a kernel patch from
`http://diehard.n-r-g.com/stuff/openbsd/' which adds a tap device to
OpenBSD which should work with tinc, but with recent versions of
OpenBSD, a tun device can act as a tap device by setting the link0
option with ifconfig.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Configuration of NetBSD kernels,  Next: Configuration of Solaris kernels,  Prev: Configuration of OpenBSD kernels,  Up: Configuring the kernel

2.1.4 Configuration of NetBSD kernels
-------------------------------------

For NetBSD version 1.5.2 and higher, the tun driver is included in the
default kernel configuration.

Tunneling IPv6 may not work on NetBSD's tun device.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Configuration of Solaris kernels,  Next: Configuration of Darwin (MacOS/X) kernels,  Prev: Configuration of NetBSD kernels,  Up: Configuring the kernel

2.1.5 Configuration of Solaris kernels
--------------------------------------

For Solaris 8 (SunOS 5.8) and higher, the tun driver may or may not be
included in the default kernel configuration.  If it isn't, the source
can be downloaded from `http://vtun.sourceforge.net/tun/'.  For x86 and
sparc64 architectures, precompiled versions can be found at
`http://www.monkey.org/~dugsong/fragroute/'.  If the `net/if_tun.h'
header file is missing, install it from the source package.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Configuration of Darwin (MacOS/X) kernels,  Next: Configuration of Windows,  Prev: Configuration of Solaris kernels,  Up: Configuring the kernel

2.1.6 Configuration of Darwin (MacOS/X) kernels
-----------------------------------------------

Tinc on Darwin relies on a tunnel driver for its data acquisition from
the kernel.  Tinc supports either the driver from
`http://tuntaposx.sourceforge.net/', which supports both tun and tap
style devices, and also the driver from from
`http://chrisp.de/en/projects/tunnel.html'.  The former driver is
recommended.  The tunnel driver must be loaded before starting tinc
with the following command:

     kmodload tunnel


File: tinc.info,  Node: Configuration of Windows,  Prev: Configuration of Darwin (MacOS/X) kernels,  Up: Configuring the kernel

2.1.7 Configuration of Windows
------------------------------

You will need to install the latest TAP-Win32 driver from OpenVPN.  You
can download it from `http://openvpn.sourceforge.net'.  Using the
Network Connections control panel, configure the TAP-Win32 network
interface in the same way as you would do from the tinc-up script, as
explained in the rest of the documentation.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Libraries,  Prev: Configuring the kernel,  Up: Preparations

2.2 Libraries
=============

Before you can configure or build tinc, you need to have the OpenSSL,
zlib and lzo libraries installed on your system.  If you try to
configure tinc without having them installed, configure will give you
an error message, and stop.

* Menu:

* OpenSSL::
* zlib::
* lzo::
* libcurses::
* libreadline::


File: tinc.info,  Node: OpenSSL,  Next: zlib,  Up: Libraries

2.2.1 OpenSSL
-------------

For all cryptography-related functions, tinc uses the functions provided
by the OpenSSL library.

If this library is not installed, you wil get an error when configuring
tinc for build.  Support for running tinc with other cryptographic
libraries installed _may_ be added in the future.

You can use your operating system's package manager to install this if
available.  Make sure you install the development AND runtime versions
of this package.

If you have to install OpenSSL manually, you can get the source code
from `http://www.openssl.org/'.  Instructions on how to configure,
build and install this package are included within the package.  Please
make sure you build development and runtime libraries (which is the
default).

If you installed the OpenSSL libraries from source, it may be necessary
to let configure know where they are, by passing configure one of the
-with-openssl-* parameters.

     --with-openssl=DIR      OpenSSL library and headers prefix
     --with-openssl-include=DIR OpenSSL headers directory
                             (Default is OPENSSL_DIR/include)
     --with-openssl-lib=DIR  OpenSSL library directory
                             (Default is OPENSSL_DIR/lib)

License
.......

The complete source code of tinc is covered by the GNU GPL version 2.
Since the license under which OpenSSL is distributed is not directly
compatible with the terms of the GNU GPL
`http://www.openssl.org/support/faq.html#LEGAL2', we include an
exemption to the GPL (see also the file COPYING.README) to allow
everyone to create a statically or dynamically linked executable:

     This program is released under the GPL with the additional
     exemption that compiling, linking, and/or using OpenSSL is
     allowed.  You may provide binary packages linked to the OpenSSL
     libraries, provided that all other requirements of the GPL are met.

Since the LZO library used by tinc is also covered by the GPL, we also
present the following exemption:

     Hereby I grant a special exception to the tinc VPN project
     (http://www.tinc-vpn.org/) to link the LZO library with the
     OpenSSL library (http://www.openssl.org).

     Markus F.X.J. Oberhumer


File: tinc.info,  Node: zlib,  Next: lzo,  Prev: OpenSSL,  Up: Libraries

2.2.2 zlib
----------

For the optional compression of UDP packets, tinc uses the functions
provided by the zlib library.

If this library is not installed, you wil get an error when running the
configure script.  You can either install the zlib library, or disable
support for zlib compression by using the "-disable-zlib" option when
running the configure script. Note that if you disable support for
zlib, the resulting binary will not work correctly on VPNs where zlib
compression is used.

You can use your operating system's package manager to install this if
available.  Make sure you install the development AND runtime versions
of this package.

If you have to install zlib manually, you can get the source code from
`http://www.gzip.org/zlib/'.  Instructions on how to configure, build
and install this package are included within the package.  Please make
sure you build development and runtime libraries (which is the default).


File: tinc.info,  Node: lzo,  Next: libcurses,  Prev: zlib,  Up: Libraries

2.2.3 lzo
---------

Another form of compression is offered using the LZO library.

If this library is not installed, you wil get an error when running the
configure script.  You can either install the LZO library, or disable
support for LZO compression by using the "-disable-lzo" option when
running the configure script. Note that if you disable support for LZO,
the resulting binary will not work correctly on VPNs where LZO
compression is used.

You can use your operating system's package manager to install this if
available.  Make sure you install the development AND runtime versions
of this package.

If you have to install lzo manually, you can get the source code from
`http://www.oberhumer.com/opensource/lzo/'.  Instructions on how to
configure, build and install this package are included within the
package.  Please make sure you build development and runtime libraries
(which is the default).


File: tinc.info,  Node: libcurses,  Next: libreadline,  Prev: lzo,  Up: Libraries

2.2.4 libcurses
---------------

For the "tinc top" command, tinc requires a curses library.

If this library is not installed, you wil get an error when running the
configure script.  You can either install a suitable curses library, or
disable all functionality that depends on a curses library by using the
"-disable-curses" option when running the configure script.

There are several curses libraries. It is recommended that you install
"ncurses" (`http://invisible-island.net/ncurses/'), however other
curses libraries should also work.  In particular, "PDCurses"
(`http://pdcurses.sourceforge.net/') is recommended if you want to
compile tinc for Windows.

You can use your operating system's package manager to install this if
available. Make sure you install the development AND runtime versions
of this package.


File: tinc.info,  Node: libreadline,  Prev: libcurses,  Up: Libraries

2.2.5 libreadline
-----------------

For the "tinc" command's shell functionality, tinc uses the readline
library.

If this library is not installed, you wil get an error when running the
configure script.  You can either install a suitable readline library,
or disable all functionality that depends on a readline library by
using the "-disable-readline" option when running the configure script.

You can use your operating system's package manager to install this if
available.  Make sure you install the development AND runtime versions
of this package.

If you have to install libreadline manually, you can get the source
code from `http://www.gnu.org/software/readline/'. Instructions on how
to configure, build and install this package are included within the
package.  Please make sure you build development and runtime libraries
(which is the default).


File: tinc.info,  Node: Installation,  Next: Configuration,  Prev: Preparations,  Up: Top

3 Installation
**************

If you use Debian, you may want to install one of the precompiled
packages for your system.  These packages are equipped with system
startup scripts and sample configurations.

If you cannot use one of the precompiled packages, or you want to
compile tinc for yourself, you can use the source.  The source is
distributed under the GNU General Public License (GPL).  Download the
source from the download page (http://www.tinc-vpn.org/download/),
which has the checksums of these files listed; you may wish to check
these with md5sum before continuing.

Tinc comes in a convenient autoconf/automake package, which you can just
treat the same as any other package.  Which is just untar it, type
`./configure' and then `make'.  More detailed instructions are in the
file `INSTALL', which is included in the source distribution.

* Menu:

* Building and installing tinc::
* System files::


File: tinc.info,  Node: Building and installing tinc,  Next: System files,  Up: Installation

3.1 Building and installing tinc
================================

Detailed instructions on configuring the source, building tinc and
installing tinc can be found in the file called `INSTALL'.

If you happen to have a binary package for tinc for your distribution,
you can use the package management tools of that distribution to
install tinc.  The documentation that comes along with your
distribution will tell you how to do that.

* Menu:

* Darwin (MacOS/X) build environment::
* Cygwin (Windows) build environment::
* MinGW (Windows) build environment::


File: tinc.info,  Node: Darwin (MacOS/X) build environment,  Next: Cygwin (Windows) build environment,  Up: Building and installing tinc

3.1.1 Darwin (MacOS/X) build environment
----------------------------------------

In order to build tinc on Darwin, you need to install the MacOS/X
Developer Tools from
`http://developer.apple.com/tools/macosxtools.html' and a recent
version of Fink from `http://www.finkproject.org/'.

After installation use fink to download and install the following
packages: autoconf25, automake, dlcompat, m4, openssl, zlib and lzo.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Cygwin (Windows) build environment,  Next: MinGW (Windows) build environment,  Prev: Darwin (MacOS/X) build environment,  Up: Building and installing tinc

3.1.2 Cygwin (Windows) build environment
----------------------------------------

If Cygwin hasn't already been installed, install it directly from
`http://www.cygwin.com/'.

When tinc is compiled in a Cygwin environment, it can only be run in
this environment, but all programs, including those started outside the
Cygwin environment, will be able to use the VPN.  It will also support
all features.


File: tinc.info,  Node: MinGW (Windows) build environment,  Prev: Cygwin (Windows) build environment,  Up: Building and installing tinc

3.1.3 MinGW (Windows) build environment
---------------------------------------

You will need to install the MinGW environment from
`http://www.mingw.org'.

When tinc is compiled using MinGW it runs natively under Windows, it is
not necessary to keep MinGW installed.

When detaching, tinc will install itself as a service, which will be
restarted automatically after reboots.


File: tinc.info,  Node: System files,  Prev: Building and installing tinc,  Up: Installation

3.2 System files
================

Before you can run tinc, you must make sure you have all the needed
files on your system.

* Menu:

* Device files::
* Other files::


File: tinc.info,  Node: Device files,  Next: Other files,  Up: System files

3.2.1 Device files
------------------

Most operating systems nowadays come with the necessary device files by
default, or they have a mechanism to create them on demand.

If you use Linux and do not have udev installed, you may need to create
the following device file if it does not exist:

     mknod -m 600 /dev/net/tun c 10 200


File: tinc.info,  Node: Other files,  Prev: Device files,  Up: System files

3.2.2 Other files
-----------------

`/etc/networks'
...............

You may add a line to `/etc/networks' so that your VPN will get a
symbolic name.  For example:

     myvpn 10.0.0.0

`/etc/services'
...............

You may add this line to `/etc/services'.  The effect is that you may
supply a `tinc' as a valid port number to some programs.  The number
655 is registered with the IANA.

     tinc            655/tcp    TINC
     tinc            655/udp    TINC
     #                          Ivo Timmermans <ivo@tinc-vpn.org>


File: tinc.info,  Node: Configuration,  Next: Running tinc,  Prev: Installation,  Up: Top

4 Configuration
***************

* Menu:

* Configuration introduction::
* Multiple networks::
* How connections work::
* Configuration files::
* Network interfaces::
* Example configuration::


File: tinc.info,  Node: Configuration introduction,  Next: Multiple networks,  Up: Configuration

4.1 Configuration introduction
==============================

Before actually starting to configure tinc and editing files, make sure
you have read this entire section so you know what to expect.  Then,
make it clear to yourself how you want to organize your VPN: What are
the nodes (computers running tinc)?  What IP addresses/subnets do they
have?  What is the network mask of the entire VPN?  Do you need special
firewall rules?  Do you have to set up masquerading or forwarding rules?
Do you want to run tinc in router mode or switch mode?  These questions
can only be answered by yourself, you will not find the answers in this
documentation.  Make sure you have an adequate understanding of
networks in general.  A good resource on networking is the Linux
Network Administrators Guide (http://www.tldp.org/LDP/nag2/).

If you have everything clearly pictured in your mind, proceed in the
following order: First, create the initial configuration files and
public/private keypairs using the following command:
     tinc -n NETNAME init NAME
Second, use `tinc -n NETNAME add ...' to further configure tinc.
Finally, export your host configuration file using `tinc -n NETNAME
export' and send it to those people or computers you want tinc to
connect to.  They should send you their host configuration file back,
which you can import using `tinc -n NETNAME import'.

These steps are described in the subsections below.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Multiple networks,  Next: How connections work,  Prev: Configuration introduction,  Up: Configuration

4.2 Multiple networks
=====================

In order to allow you to run more than one tinc daemon on one computer,
for instance if your computer is part of more than one VPN, you can
assign a NETNAME to your VPN.  It is not required if you only run one
tinc daemon, it doesn't even have to be the same on all the nodes of
your VPN, but it is recommended that you choose one anyway.

We will asume you use a netname throughout this document.  This means
that you call tinc with the -n argument, which will specify the netname.

The effect of this option is that tinc will set its configuration root
to `/etc/tinc/NETNAME/', where NETNAME is your argument to the -n
option.  You will also notice that log messages it appears in syslog as
coming from `tinc.NETNAME', and on Linux, unless specified otherwise,
the name of the virtual network interface will be the same as the
network name.

However, it is not strictly necessary that you call tinc with the -n
option. If you don not use it, the network name will just be empty, and
tinc will look for files in `/etc/tinc/' instead of
`/etc/tinc/NETNAME/'; the configuration file will then be
`/etc/tinc/tinc.conf', and the host configuration files are expected to
be in `/etc/tinc/hosts/'.


File: tinc.info,  Node: How connections work,  Next: Configuration files,  Prev: Multiple networks,  Up: Configuration

4.3 How connections work
========================

When tinc starts up, it parses the command-line options and then reads
in the configuration file tinc.conf.  If it sees one or more
`ConnectTo' values pointing to other tinc daemons in that file, it will
try to connect to those other daemons.  Whether this succeeds or not
and whether `ConnectTo' is specified or not, tinc will listen for
incoming connection from other deamons.  If you did specify a
`ConnectTo' value and the other side is not responding, tinc will keep
retrying.  This means that once started, tinc will stay running until
you tell it to stop, and failures to connect to other tinc daemons will
not stop your tinc daemon for trying again later.  This means you don't
have to intervene if there are temporary network problems.

There is no real distinction between a server and a client in tinc.  If
you wish, you can view a tinc daemon without a `ConnectTo' value as a
server, and one which does specify such a value as a client.  It does
not matter if two tinc daemons have a `ConnectTo' value pointing to
each other however.

Connections specified using `ConnectTo' are so-called meta-connections.
Tinc daemons exchange information about all other daemon they know
about via these meta-connections.  After learning about all the daemons
in the VPN, tinc will create other connections as necessary in order to
communicate with them.  For example, if there are three daemons named
A, B and C, and A has `ConnectTo = B' in its tinc.conf file, and C has
`ConnectTo = B' in its tinc.conf file, then A will learn about C from B,
and will be able to exchange VPN packets with C without the need to
have `ConnectTo = C' in its tinc.conf file.

It could be that some daemons are located behind a Network Address
Translation (NAT) device, or behind a firewall.  In the above scenario
with three daemons, if A and C are behind a NAT, B will automatically
help A and C punch holes through their NAT, in a way similar to the
STUN protocol, so that A and C can still communicate with each other
directly.  It is not always possible to do this however, and firewalls
might also prevent direct communication.  In that case, VPN packets
between A and C will be forwarded by B.

In effect, all nodes in the VPN will be able to talk to each other, as
long as their is a path of meta-connections between them, and whenever
possible, two nodes will communicate with each other directly.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Configuration files,  Next: Network interfaces,  Prev: How connections work,  Up: Configuration

4.4 Configuration files
=======================

The actual configuration of the daemon is done in the file
`/etc/tinc/NETNAME/tinc.conf' and at least one other file in the
directory `/etc/tinc/NETNAME/hosts/'.

These file consists of comments (lines started with a #) or assignments
in the form of

     Variable = Value.

The variable names are case insensitive, and any spaces, tabs, newlines
and carriage returns are ignored.  Note: it is not required that you put
in the `=' sign, but doing so improves readability.  If you leave it
out, remember to replace it with at least one space character.

The server configuration is complemented with host specific
configuration (see the next section). Although all host configuration
options for the local node listed in this document can also be put in
`/etc/tinc/NETNAME/tinc.conf', it is recommended to put host specific
configuration options in the host configuration file, as this makes it
easy to exchange with other nodes.

You can edit the config file manually, but it is recommended that you
use the tinc command to change configuration variables for you.

In the following two subsections all valid variables are listed in
alphabetical order.  The default value is given between parentheses,
other comments are between square brackets.

* Menu:

* Main configuration variables::
* Host configuration variables::
* Scripts::
* How to configure::


File: tinc.info,  Node: Main configuration variables,  Next: Host configuration variables,  Up: Configuration files

4.4.1 Main configuration variables
----------------------------------

AddressFamily = <ipv4|ipv6|any> (any)
     This option affects the address family of listening and outgoing
     sockets.  If any is selected, then depending on the operating
     system both IPv4 and IPv6 or just IPv6 listening sockets will be
     created.

AutoConnect = <count> (0) [experimental]
     If set to a non-zero value, tinc will try to only have count meta
     connections to other nodes, by automatically making or breaking
     connections to known nodes.  Higher values increase redundancy but
     also increase meta data overhead.  When using this option, a good
     value is 3.

BindToAddress = <ADDRESS> [<PORT>]
     If your computer has more than one IPv4 or IPv6 address, tinc will
     by default listen on all of them for incoming connections.
     Multiple BindToAddress variables may be specified, in which case
     listening sockets for each specified address are made.

     If no PORT is specified, the socket will be bound to the port
     specified by the Port option, or to port 655 if neither is given.
     To only bind to a specific port but not to a specific address, use
     "*" for the ADDRESS.

BindToInterface = <INTERFACE> [experimental]
     If you have more than one network interface in your computer, tinc
     will by default listen on all of them for incoming connections.
     It is possible to bind tinc to a single interface like eth0 or
     ppp0 with this variable.

     This option may not work on all platforms.  Also, on some
     platforms it will not actually bind to an interface, but rather to
     the address that the interface has at the moment a socket is
     created.

Broadcast = <no | mst | direct> (mst) [experimental]
     This option selects the way broadcast packets are sent to other
     daemons.  _NOTE: all nodes in a VPN must use the same Broadcast
     mode, otherwise routing loops can form._

    no
          Broadcast packets are never sent to other nodes.

    mst
          Broadcast packets are sent and forwarded via the VPN's
          Minimum Spanning Tree.  This ensures broadcast packets reach
          all nodes.

    direct
          Broadcast packets are sent directly to all nodes that can be
          reached directly.  Broadcast packets received from other
          nodes are never forwarded.  If the IndirectData option is
          also set, broadcast packets will only be sent to nodes which
          we have a meta connection to.

ConnectTo = <NAME>
     Specifies which other tinc daemon to connect to on startup.
     Multiple ConnectTo variables may be specified, in which case
     outgoing connections to each specified tinc daemon are made.  The
     names should be known to this tinc daemon (i.e., there should be a
     host configuration file for the name on the ConnectTo line).

     If you don't specify a host with ConnectTo, tinc won't try to
     connect to other daemons at all, and will instead just listen for
     incoming connections.

DecrementTTL = <yes | no> (no) [experimental]
     When enabled, tinc will decrement the Time To Live field in IPv4
     packets, or the Hop Limit field in IPv6 packets, before forwarding
     a received packet to the virtual network device or to another node,
     and will drop packets that have a TTL value of zero, in which case
     it will send an ICMP Time Exceeded packet back.

     Do not use this option if you use switch mode and want to use IPv6.

Device = <DEVICE> (`/dev/tap0', `/dev/net/tun' or other depending on platform)
     The virtual network device to use.  Tinc will automatically detect
     what kind of device it is.  Note that you can only use one device
     per daemon.  Under Windows, use INTERFACE instead of DEVICE.  Note
     that you can only use one device per daemon.  See also *note
     Device files::.

DeviceType = <TYPE> (platform dependent)
     The type of the virtual network device.  Tinc will normally
     automatically select the right type of tun/tap interface, and this
     option should not be used.  However, this option can be used to
     select one of the special interface types, if support for them is
     compiled in.

    dummy
          Use a dummy interface.  No packets are ever read or written
          to a virtual network device.  Useful for testing, or when
          setting up a node that only forwards packets for other nodes.

    raw_socket
          Open a raw socket, and bind it to a pre-existing INTERFACE
          (eth0 by default).  All packets are read from this interface.
          Packets received for the local node are written to the raw
          socket.  However, at least on Linux, the operating system
          does not process IP packets destined for the local host.

    multicast
          Open a multicast UDP socket and bind it to the address and
          port (separated by spaces) and optionally a TTL value
          specified using DEVICE.  Packets are read from and written to
          this multicast socket.  This can be used to connect to UML,
          QEMU or KVM instances listening on the same multicast address.
          Do NOT connect multiple tinc daemons to the same multicast
          address, this will very likely cause routing loops.  Also
          note that this can cause decrypted VPN packets to be sent out
          on a real network if misconfigured.

    uml (not compiled in by default)
          Create a UNIX socket with the filename specified by DEVICE,
          or `/var/run/NETNAME.umlsocket' if not specified.  Tinc will
          wait for a User Mode Linux instance to connect to this socket.

    vde (not compiled in by default)
          Uses the libvdeplug library to connect to a Virtual
          Distributed Ethernet switch, using the UNIX socket specified
          by DEVICE, or `/var/run/vde.ctl' if not specified.

     Also, in case tinc does not seem to correctly interpret packets
     received from the virtual network device, it can be used to change
     the way packets are interpreted:

    tun (BSD and Linux)
          Set type to tun.  Depending on the platform, this can either
          be with or without an address family header (see below).

    tunnohead (BSD)
          Set type to tun without an address family header.  Tinc will
          expect packets read from the virtual network device to start
          with an IP header.  On some platforms IPv6 packets cannot be
          read from or written to the device in this mode.

    tunifhead (BSD)
          Set type to tun with an address family header.  Tinc will
          expect packets read from the virtual network device to start
          with a four byte header containing the address family,
          followed by an IP header.  This mode should support both IPv4
          and IPv6 packets.

    tap (BSD and Linux)
          Set type to tap.  Tinc will expect packets read from the
          virtual network device to start with an Ethernet header.

DirectOnly = <yes|no> (no) [experimental]
     When this option is enabled, packets that cannot be sent directly
     to the destination node, but which would have to be forwarded by
     an intermediate node, are dropped instead.  When combined with the
     IndirectData option, packets for nodes for which we do not have a
     meta connection with are also dropped.

ECDSAPrivateKeyFile = <PATH> (`/etc/tinc/NETNAME/ecdsa_key.priv')
     The file in which the private ECDSA key of this tinc daemon
     resides.  This is only used if ExperimentalProtocol is enabled.

ExperimentalProtocol = <yes|no> (no) [experimental]
     When this option is enabled, experimental protocol enhancements
     will be used.  Ephemeral ECDH will be used for key exchanges, and
     ECDSA will be used instead of RSA for authentication.  When
     enabled, an ECDSA key must have been generated before with `tinc
     generate-ecdsa-keys'.  The experimental protocol may change at any
     time, and there is no guarantee that tinc will run stable when it
     is used.

Forwarding = <off|internal|kernel> (internal) [experimental]
     This option selects the way indirect packets are forwarded.

    off
          Incoming packets that are not meant for the local node, but
          which should be forwarded to another node, are dropped.

    internal
          Incoming packets that are meant for another node are
          forwarded by tinc internally.

          This is the default mode, and unless you really know you need
          another forwarding mode, don't change it.

    kernel
          Incoming packets are always sent to the TUN/TAP device, even
          if the packets are not for the local node.  This is less
          efficient, but allows the kernel to apply its routing and
          firewall rules on them, and can also help debugging.

Hostnames = <yes|no> (no)
     This option selects whether IP addresses (both real and on the VPN)
     should be resolved.  Since DNS lookups are blocking, it might
     affect tinc's efficiency, even stopping the daemon for a few
     seconds everytime it does a lookup if your DNS server is not
     responding.

     This does not affect resolving hostnames to IP addresses from the
     configuration file, but whether hostnames should be resolved while
     logging.

Interface = <INTERFACE>
     Defines the name of the interface corresponding to the virtual
     network device.  Depending on the operating system and the type of
     device this may or may not actually set the name of the interface.
     Under Windows, this variable is used to select which network
     interface will be used.  If you specified a Device, this variable
     is almost always already correctly set.

LocalDiscovery = <yes | no> (no)
     When enabled, tinc will try to detect peers that are on the same
     local network.  This will allow direct communication using LAN
     addresses, even if both peers are behind a NAT and they only
     ConnectTo a third node outside the NAT, which normally would
     prevent the peers from learning each other's LAN address.

     Currently, local discovery is implemented by sending broadcast
     packets to the LAN during path MTU discovery.  This feature may
     not work in all possible situations.

Mode = <router|switch|hub> (router)
     This option selects the way packets are routed to other daemons.

    router
          In this mode Subnet variables in the host configuration files
          will be used to form a routing table.  Only packets of
          routable protocols (IPv4 and IPv6) are supported in this mode.

          This is the default mode, and unless you really know you need
          another mode, don't change it.

    switch
          In this mode the MAC addresses of the packets on the VPN will
          be used to dynamically create a routing table just like an
          Ethernet switch does.  Unicast, multicast and broadcast
          packets of every protocol that runs over Ethernet are
          supported in this mode at the cost of frequent broadcast ARP
          requests and routing table updates.

          This mode is primarily useful if you want to bridge Ethernet
          segments.

    hub
          This mode is almost the same as the switch mode, but instead
          every packet will be broadcast to the other daemons while no
          routing table is managed.

KeyExpire = <SECONDS> (3600)
     This option controls the time the encryption keys used to encrypt
     the data are valid.  It is common practice to change keys at
     regular intervals to make it even harder for crackers, even though
     it is thought to be nearly impossible to crack a single key.

MACExpire = <SECONDS> (600)
     This option controls the amount of time MAC addresses are kept
     before they are removed.  This only has effect when Mode is set to
     "switch".

Name = <NAME> [required]
     This is a symbolic name for this connection.  The name should
     consist only of alfanumeric and underscore characters (a-z, A-Z,
     0-9 and _), and is case sensitive.

     If Name starts with a $, then the contents of the environment
     variable that follows will be used.  In that case, invalid
     characters will be converted to underscores.  If Name is $HOST,
     but no such environment variable exist, the hostname will be read
     using the gethostname() system call.

PingInterval = <SECONDS> (60)
     The number of seconds of inactivity that tinc will wait before
     sending a probe to the other end.

PingTimeout = <SECONDS> (5)
     The number of seconds to wait for a response to pings or to allow
     meta connections to block. If the other end doesn't respond within
     this time, the connection is terminated, and the others will be
     notified of this.

PriorityInheritance = <yes|no> (no) [experimental]
     When this option is enabled the value of the TOS field of tunneled
     IPv4 packets will be inherited by the UDP packets that are sent
     out.

PrivateKey = <KEY> [obsolete]
     This is the RSA private key for tinc. However, for safety reasons
     it is advised to store private keys of any kind in separate files.
     This prevents accidental eavesdropping if you are editting the
     configuration file.

PrivateKeyFile = <PATH> (`/etc/tinc/NETNAME/rsa_key.priv')
     This is the full path name of the RSA private key file that was
     generated by `tinc generate-keys'.  It must be a full path, not a
     relative directory.

ProcessPriority = <low|normal|high>
     When this option is used the priority of the tincd process will be
     adjusted.  Increasing the priority may help to reduce latency and
     packet loss on the VPN.

Proxy = socks4 | socks4 | http | exec ... [experimental]
     Use a proxy when making outgoing connections.  The following proxy
     types are currently supported:

    socks4 <ADDRESS> <PORT> [<USERNAME>]
          Connects to the proxy using the SOCKS version 4 protocol.
          Optionally, a USERNAME can be supplied which will be passed
          on to the proxy server.

    socks4 <ADDRESS> <PORT> [<USERNAME> <PASSWORD>]
          Connect to the proxy using the SOCKS version 5 protocol.  If
          a USERNAME and PASSWORD are given, basic username/password
          authentication will be used, otherwise no authentication will
          be used.

    http <ADDRESS> <PORT>
          Connects to the proxy and sends a HTTP CONNECT request.

    exec <COMMAND>
          Executes the given command which should set up the outgoing
          connection.  The environment variables `NAME', `NODE',
          `REMOTEADDRES' and `REMOTEPORT' are available.

ReplayWindow = <bytes> (16)
     This is the size of the replay tracking window for each remote
     node, in bytes.  The window is a bitfield which tracks 1 packet
     per bit, so for example the default setting of 16 will track up to
     128 packets in the window. In high bandwidth scenarios, setting
     this to a higher value can reduce packet loss from the interaction
     of replay tracking with underlying real packet loss and/or
     reordering. Setting this to zero will disable replay tracking
     completely and pass all traffic, but leaves tinc vulnerable to
     replay-based attacks on your traffic.

StrictSubnets <yes|no> (no) [experimental]
     When this option is enabled tinc will only use Subnet statements
     which are present in the host config files in the local
     `/etc/tinc/NETNAME/hosts/' directory.

TunnelServer = <yes|no> (no) [experimental]
     When this option is enabled tinc will no longer forward
     information between other tinc daemons, and will only allow
     connections with nodes for which host config files are present in
     the local `/etc/tinc/NETNAME/hosts/' directory.  Setting this
     options also implicitly sets StrictSubnets.

UDPRcvBuf = <bytes> (OS default)
     Sets the socket receive buffer size for the UDP socket, in bytes.
     If unset, the default buffer size will be used by the operating
     system.

UDPSndBuf = <bytes> Pq OS default
     Sets the socket send buffer size for the UDP socket, in bytes.  If
     unset, the default buffer size will be used by the operating
     system.



File: tinc.info,  Node: Host configuration variables,  Next: Scripts,  Prev: Main configuration variables,  Up: Configuration files

4.4.2 Host configuration variables
----------------------------------

Address = <IP ADDRESS|HOSTNAME> [<port>] [recommended]
     This variable is only required if you want to connect to this
     host.  It must resolve to the external IP address where the host
     can be reached, not the one that is internal to the VPN.  If no
     port is specified, the default Port is used.

Cipher = <CIPHER> (blowfish)
     The symmetric cipher algorithm used to encrypt UDP packets using
     the legacy protocol.  Any cipher supported by OpenSSL is
     recognized.  Furthermore, specifying "none" will turn off packet
     encryption.  It is best to use only those ciphers which support
     CBC mode.  This option has no effect for connections using the
     SPTPS protocol, which always use AES-256-CTR.

ClampMSS = <yes|no> (yes)
     This option specifies whether tinc should clamp the maximum
     segment size (MSS) of TCP packets to the path MTU. This helps in
     situations where ICMP Fragmentation Needed or Packet too Big
     messages are dropped by firewalls.

Compression = <LEVEL> (0)
     This option sets the level of compression used for UDP packets.
     Possible values are 0 (off), 1 (fast zlib) and any integer up to 9
     (best zlib), 10 (fast lzo) and 11 (best lzo).

Digest = <DIGEST> (sha1)
     The digest algorithm used to authenticate UDP packets using the
     legacy protocol.  Any digest supported by OpenSSL is recognized.
     Furthermore, specifying "none" will turn off packet authentication.
     This option has no effect for connections using the SPTPS
     protocol, which always use HMAC-SHA-256.

IndirectData = <yes|no> (no)
     When set to yes, other nodes which do not already have a meta
     connection to you will not try to establish direct communication
     with you.  It is best to leave this option out or set it to no.

MACLength = <BYTES> (4)
     The length of the message authentication code used to authenticate
     UDP packets using the legacy protocol.  Can be anything from 0 up
     to the length of the digest produced by the digest algorithm.
     This option has no effect for connections using the SPTPS
     protocol, which never truncate MACs.

PMTU = <MTU> (1514)
     This option controls the initial path MTU to this node.

PMTUDiscovery = <yes|no> (yes)
     When this option is enabled, tinc will try to discover the path
     MTU to this node.  After the path MTU has been discovered, it will
     be enforced on the VPN.

Port = <PORT> (655)
     This is the port this tinc daemon listens on.  You can use decimal
     portnumbers or symbolic names (as listed in `/etc/services').

PublicKey = <KEY> [obsolete]
     This is the RSA public key for this host.

PublicKeyFile = <PATH> [obsolete]
     This is the full path name of the RSA public key file that was
     generated by `tinc generate-keys'.  It must be a full path, not a
     relative directory.

     From version 1.0pre4 on tinc will store the public key directly
     into the host configuration file in PEM format, the above two
     options then are not necessary. Either the PEM format is used, or
     exactly *one of the above two options* must be specified in each
     host configuration file, if you want to be able to establish a
     connection with that host.

Subnet = <ADDRESS[/PREFIXLENGTH[#WEIGHT]]>
     The subnet which this tinc daemon will serve.  Tinc tries to look
     up which other daemon it should send a packet to by searching the
     appropiate subnet.  If the packet matches a subnet, it will be
     sent to the daemon who has this subnet in his host configuration
     file.  Multiple subnet lines can be specified for each daemon.

     Subnets can either be single MAC, IPv4 or IPv6 addresses, in which
     case a subnet consisting of only that single address is assumed,
     or they can be a IPv4 or IPv6 network address with a prefixlength.
     For example, IPv4 subnets must be in a form like 192.168.1.0/24,
     where 192.168.1.0 is the network address and 24 is the number of
     bits set in the netmask.  Note that subnets like 192.168.1.1/24
     are invalid!  Read a networking HOWTO/FAQ/guide if you don't
     understand this.  IPv6 subnets are notated like fec0:0:0:1::/64.
     MAC addresses are notated like 0:1a:2b:3c:4d:5e.

     Prefixlength is the number of bits set to 1 in the netmask part;
     for example: netmask 255.255.255.0 would become /24, 255.255.252.0
     becomes /22. This conforms to standard CIDR notation as described
     in RFC1519 (http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc1519.txt)

     A Subnet can be given a weight to indicate its priority over
     identical Subnets owned by different nodes. The default weight is
     10. Lower values indicate higher priority. Packets will be sent to
     the node with the highest priority, unless that node is not
     reachable, in which case the node with the next highest priority
     will be tried, and so on.

TCPonly = <yes|no> (no)
     If this variable is set to yes, then the packets are tunnelled
     over a TCP connection instead of a UDP connection.  This is
     especially useful for those who want to run a tinc daemon from
     behind a masquerading firewall, or if UDP packet routing is
     disabled somehow.  Setting this options also implicitly sets
     IndirectData.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Scripts,  Next: How to configure,  Prev: Host configuration variables,  Up: Configuration files

4.4.3 Scripts
-------------

Apart from reading the server and host configuration files, tinc can
also run scripts at certain moments.  Under Windows (not Cygwin), the
scripts should have the extension .bat.

`/etc/tinc/NETNAME/tinc-up'
     This is the most important script.  If it is present it will be
     executed right after the tinc daemon has been started and has
     connected to the virtual network device.  It should be used to set
     up the corresponding network interface, but can also be used to
     start other things.  Under Windows you can use the Network
     Connections control panel instead of creating this script.

`/etc/tinc/NETNAME/tinc-down'
     This script is started right before the tinc daemon quits.

`/etc/tinc/NETNAME/hosts/HOST-up'
     This script is started when the tinc daemon with name HOST becomes
     reachable.

`/etc/tinc/NETNAME/hosts/HOST-down'
     This script is started when the tinc daemon with name HOST becomes
     unreachable.

`/etc/tinc/NETNAME/host-up'
     This script is started when any host becomes reachable.

`/etc/tinc/NETNAME/host-down'
     This script is started when any host becomes unreachable.

`/etc/tinc/NETNAME/subnet-up'
     This script is started when a Subnet becomes reachable.  The
     Subnet and the node it belongs to are passed in environment
     variables.

`/etc/tinc/NETNAME/subnet-down'
     This script is started when a Subnet becomes unreachable.

The scripts are started without command line arguments, but can make
use of certain environment variables.  Under UNIX like operating
systems the names of environment variables must be preceded by a $ in
scripts.  Under Windows, in `.bat' files, they have to be put between %
signs.

`NETNAME'
     If a netname was specified, this environment variable contains it.

`NAME'
     Contains the name of this tinc daemon.

`DEVICE'
     Contains the name of the virtual network device that tinc uses.

`INTERFACE'
     Contains the name of the virtual network interface that tinc uses.
     This should be used for commands like ifconfig.

`NODE'
     When a host becomes (un)reachable, this is set to its name.  If a
     subnet becomes (un)reachable, this is set to the owner of that
     subnet.

`REMOTEADDRESS'
     When a host becomes (un)reachable, this is set to its real address.

`REMOTEPORT'
     When a host becomes (un)reachable, this is set to the port number
     it uses for communication with other tinc daemons.

`SUBNET'
     When a subnet becomes (un)reachable, this is set to the subnet.



File: tinc.info,  Node: How to configure,  Prev: Scripts,  Up: Configuration files

4.4.4 How to configure
----------------------

Step 1.  Creating initial configuration files.
..............................................

The initial directory structure, configuration files and public/private
keypairs are created using the following command:

     tinc -n NETNAME init NAME

(You will need to run this as root, or use "sudo".)  This will create
the configuration directory `/etc/tinc/NETNAME.', and inside it will
create another directory named `hosts/'.  In the configuration
directory, it will create the file `tinc.conf' with the following
contents:

     Name = NAME

It will also create private RSA and ECDSA keys, which will be stored in
the files `rsa_key.priv' and `ecdsa_key.priv'.  It will also create a
host configuration file `hosts/NAME', which will contain the
corresponding public RSA and ECDSA keys.

Finally, on UNIX operating systems, it will create an executable script
`tinc-up', which will initially not do anything except warning that you
should edit it.

Step 2.  Modifying the initial configuration.
.............................................

Unless you want to use tinc in switch mode, you should now configure
which range of addresses you will use on the VPN.  Let's assume you
will be part of a VPN which uses the address range 192.168.0.0/16, and
you yourself have a smaller portion of that range: 192.168.2.0/24.
Then you should run the following command:

     tinc -n NETNAME add subnet 192.168.2.0/24

This will add a Subnet statement to your host configuration file.  Try
opening the file `/etc/tinc/NETNAME/hosts/NAME' in an editor.  You
should now see a file containing the public RSA and ECDSA keys (which
looks like a bunch of random characters), and the following line at the
bottom:

     Subnet = 192.168.2.0/24

If you will use more than one address range, you can add more Subnets.
For example, if you also use the IPv6 subnet fec0:0:0:2::/64, you can
add it as well:

     tinc -n NETNAME add subnet fec0:0:0:2::/24

This will add another line to the file `hosts/NAME'.  If you make a
mistake, you can undo it by simply using `del' instead of `add'.

If you want other tinc daemons to create meta-connections to your
daemon, you should add your public IP address or hostname to your host
configuration file.  For example, if your hostname is foo.example.org,
run:

     tinc -n NETNAME add address foo.example.org

If you already know to which daemons your daemon should make
meta-connections, you should configure that now as well.  Suppose you
want to connect to a daemon named "bar", run:

     tinc -n NETNAME add connectto bar

Note that you specify the Name of the other daemon here, not an IP
address or hostname!  When you start tinc, and it tries to make a
connection to "bar", it will look for a host configuration file named
`hosts/bar', and will read Address statements and public keys from that
file.

Step 2.  Exchanging configuration files.
........................................

If your daemon has a ConnectTo = bar statement in its `tinc.conf' file,
or if bar has a ConnectTo your daemon, then you both need each other's
host configuration files.  You should send `hosts/NAME' to bar, and bar
should send you his file which you should move to `hosts/bar'.  If you
are on a UNIX platform, you can easily send an email containing the
necessary information using the following command (assuming the owner
of bar has the email address bar@example.org):

     tinc -n NETNAME export | mail -s "My config file" bar@example.org

If the owner of bar does the same to send his host configuration file
to you, you can probably pipe his email through the following command,
or you can just start this command in a terminal and copy&paste the
email:

     tinc -n NETNAME import

If you are the owner of bar yourself, and you have SSH access to that
computer, you can also swap the host configuration files using the
following command:

     tinc -n NETNAME export \
         | ssh bar.example.org tinc -n NETNAME exchange \
         | tinc -n NETNAME import

You should repeat this for all nodes you ConnectTo, or which ConnectTo
you.  However, remember that you do not need to ConnectTo all nodes in
the VPN; it is only necessary to create one or a few meta-connections,
after the connections are made tinc will learn about all the other
nodes in the VPN, and will automatically make other connections as
necessary.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Network interfaces,  Next: Example configuration,  Prev: Configuration files,  Up: Configuration

4.5 Network interfaces
======================

Before tinc can start transmitting data over the tunnel, it must set up
the virtual network interface.

First, decide which IP addresses you want to have associated with these
devices, and what network mask they must have.

Tinc will open a virtual network device (`/dev/tun', `/dev/tap0' or
similar), which will also create a network interface called something
like `tun0', `tap0'.  If you are using the Linux tun/tap driver, the
network interface will by default have the same name as the NETNAME.
Under Windows you can change the name of the network interface from the
Network Connections control panel.

You can configure the network interface by putting ordinary ifconfig,
route, and other commands to a script named `/etc/tinc/NETNAME/tinc-up'.
When tinc starts, this script will be executed. When tinc exits, it
will execute the script named `/etc/tinc/NETNAME/tinc-down', but
normally you don't need to create that script.  You can manually open
the script in an editor, or use the following command:

     tinc -n NETNAME edit tinc-up

An example `tinc-up' script, that would be appropriate for the scenario
in the previous section, is:

     #!/bin/sh
     ifconfig $INTERFACE 192.168.2.1 netmask 255.255.0.0
     ip addr add fec0:0:0:2::/48 dev $INTERFACE

The first command gives the interface an IPv4 address and a netmask.
The kernel will also automatically add an IPv4 route to this interface,
so normally you don't need to add route commands to the `tinc-up'
script.  The kernel will also bring the interface up after this command.  The
netmask is the mask of the _entire_ VPN network, not just your own
subnet.  The second command gives the interface an IPv6 address and
netmask, which will also automatically add an IPv6 route.  If you only
want to use "ip addr" commands on Linux, don't forget that it doesn't
bring the interface up, unlike ifconfig, so you need to add `ip link
set $INTERFACE up' in that case.

The exact syntax of the ifconfig and route commands differs from
platform to platform.  You can look up the commands for setting
addresses and adding routes in *note Platform specific information::,
but it is best to consult the manpages of those utilities on your
platform.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Example configuration,  Prev: Network interfaces,  Up: Configuration

4.6 Example configuration
=========================

Imagine the following situation.  Branch A of our example `company'
wants to connect three branch offices in B, C and D using the Internet.
All four offices have a 24/7 connection to the Internet.

A is going to serve as the center of the network.  B and C will connect
to A, and D will connect to C.  Each office will be assigned their own
IP network, 10.x.0.0.

     A: net 10.1.0.0 mask 255.255.0.0 gateway 10.1.54.1 internet IP 1.2.3.4
     B: net 10.2.0.0 mask 255.255.0.0 gateway 10.2.1.12 internet IP 2.3.4.5
     C: net 10.3.0.0 mask 255.255.0.0 gateway 10.3.69.254 internet IP 3.4.5.6
     D: net 10.4.0.0 mask 255.255.0.0 gateway 10.4.3.32 internet IP 4.5.6.7

Here, "gateway" is the VPN IP address of the machine that is running the
tincd, and "internet IP" is the IP address of the firewall, which does
not need to run tincd, but it must do a port forwarding of TCP and UDP
on port 655 (unless otherwise configured).

In this example, it is assumed that eth0 is the interface that points to
the inner (physical) LAN of the office, although this could also be the
same as the interface that leads to the Internet.  The configuration of
the real interface is also shown as a comment, to give you an idea of
how these example host is set up. All branches use the netname `company'
for this particular VPN.

Each branch is set up using the `tinc init' and `tinc config' commands,
here we just show the end results:

For Branch A
............

_BranchA_ would be configured like this:

In `/etc/tinc/company/tinc-up':

     #!/bin/sh

     # Real interface of internal network:
     # ifconfig eth0 10.1.54.1 netmask 255.255.0.0

     ifconfig $INTERFACE 10.1.54.1 netmask 255.0.0.0

and in `/etc/tinc/company/tinc.conf':

     Name = BranchA

On all hosts, `/etc/tinc/company/hosts/BranchA' contains:

     Subnet = 10.1.0.0/16
     Address = 1.2.3.4

     -----BEGIN RSA PUBLIC KEY-----
     ...
     -----END RSA PUBLIC KEY-----

Note that the IP addresses of eth0 and the VPN interface are the same.
This is quite possible, if you make sure that the netmasks of the
interfaces are different.  It is in fact recommended to give both real
internal network interfaces and VPN interfaces the same IP address,
since that will make things a lot easier to remember and set up.

For Branch B
............

In `/etc/tinc/company/tinc-up':

     #!/bin/sh

     # Real interface of internal network:
     # ifconfig eth0 10.2.43.8 netmask 255.255.0.0

     ifconfig $INTERFACE 10.2.1.12 netmask 255.0.0.0

and in `/etc/tinc/company/tinc.conf':

     Name = BranchB
     ConnectTo = BranchA

Note here that the internal address (on eth0) doesn't have to be the
same as on the VPN interface.  Also, ConnectTo is given so that this
node will always try to connect to BranchA.

On all hosts, in `/etc/tinc/company/hosts/BranchB':

     Subnet = 10.2.0.0/16
     Address = 2.3.4.5

     -----BEGIN RSA PUBLIC KEY-----
     ...
     -----END RSA PUBLIC KEY-----

For Branch C
............

In `/etc/tinc/company/tinc-up':

     #!/bin/sh

     # Real interface of internal network:
     # ifconfig eth0 10.3.69.254 netmask 255.255.0.0

     ifconfig $INTERFACE 10.3.69.254 netmask 255.0.0.0

and in `/etc/tinc/company/tinc.conf':

     Name = BranchC
     ConnectTo = BranchA

C already has another daemon that runs on port 655, so they have to
reserve another port for tinc. It knows the portnumber it has to listen
on from it's own host configuration file.

On all hosts, in `/etc/tinc/company/hosts/BranchC':

     Address = 3.4.5.6
     Subnet = 10.3.0.0/16
     Port = 2000

     -----BEGIN RSA PUBLIC KEY-----
     ...
     -----END RSA PUBLIC KEY-----

For Branch D
............

In `/etc/tinc/company/tinc-up':

     #!/bin/sh

     # Real interface of internal network:
     # ifconfig eth0 10.4.3.32 netmask 255.255.0.0

     ifconfig $INTERFACE 10.4.3.32 netmask 255.0.0.0

and in `/etc/tinc/company/tinc.conf':

     Name = BranchD
     ConnectTo = BranchC

D will be connecting to C, which has a tincd running for this network on
port 2000. It knows the port number from the host configuration file.

On all hosts, in `/etc/tinc/company/hosts/BranchD':

     Subnet = 10.4.0.0/16
     Address = 4.5.6.7

     -----BEGIN RSA PUBLIC KEY-----
     ...
     -----END RSA PUBLIC KEY-----

Key files
.........

A, B, C and D all have their own public/private keypairs:

The private RSA key is stored in `/etc/tinc/company/rsa_key.priv', the
private ECDSA key is stored in `/etc/tinc/company/ecdsa_key.priv', and
the public RSA and ECDSA keys are put into the host configuration file
in the `/etc/tinc/company/hosts/' directory.

Starting
........

After each branch has finished configuration and they have distributed
the host configuration files amongst them, they can start their tinc
daemons.  They don't necessarily have to wait for the other branches to
have started their daemons, tinc will try connecting until they are
available.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Running tinc,  Next: Controlling tinc,  Prev: Configuration,  Up: Top

5 Running tinc
**************

If everything else is done, you can start tinc by typing the following
command:

     tinc -n NETNAME start

Tinc will detach from the terminal and continue to run in the
background like a good daemon.  If there are any problems however you
can try to increase the debug level and look in the syslog to find out
what the problems are.

* Menu:

* Runtime options::
* Signals::
* Debug levels::
* Solving problems::
* Error messages::
* Sending bug reports::


File: tinc.info,  Node: Runtime options,  Next: Signals,  Up: Running tinc

5.1 Runtime options
===================

Besides the settings in the configuration file, tinc also accepts some
command line options.

`-c, --config=PATH'
     Read configuration options from the directory PATH.  The default is
     `/etc/tinc/NETNAME/'.

`-D, --no-detach'
     Don't fork and detach.  This will also disable the automatic
     restart mechanism for fatal errors.

`-d, --debug=LEVEL'
     Set debug level to LEVEL.  The higher the debug level, the more
     gets logged.  Everything goes via syslog.

`-n, --net=NETNAME'
     Use configuration for net NETNAME.  This will let tinc read all
     configuration files from `/etc/tinc/NETNAME/'.  Specifying . for
     NETNAME is the same as not specifying any NETNAME.  *Note Multiple
     networks::.

`--pidfile=FILENAME'
     Store a cookie in FILENAME which allows tinc to authenticate.  If
     unspecified, the default is `/var/run/tinc.NETNAME.pid'.

`-o, --option=[HOST.]KEY=VALUE'
     Without specifying a HOST, this will set server configuration
     variable KEY to VALUE.  If specified as HOST.KEY=VALUE, this will
     set the host configuration variable KEY of the host named HOST to
     VALUE.  This option can be used more than once to specify multiple
     configuration variables.

`-L, --mlock'
     Lock tinc into main memory.  This will prevent sensitive data like
     shared private keys to be written to the system swap
     files/partitions.

     This option is not supported on all platforms.

`--logfile[=FILE]'
     Write log entries to a file instead of to the system logging
     facility.  If FILE is omitted, the default is
     `/var/log/tinc.NETNAME.log'.

`--bypass-security'
     Disables encryption and authentication.  Only useful for debugging.

`-R, --chroot'
     Change process root directory to the directory where the config
     file is located (`/etc/tinc/NETNAME/' as determined by -n/-net
     option or as given by -c/-config option), for added security.  The
     chroot is performed after all the initialization is done, after
     writing pid files and opening network sockets.

     Note that this option alone does not do any good without -U/-user,
     below.

     Note also that tinc can't run scripts anymore (such as tinc-down
     or host-up), unless it's setup to be runnable inside chroot
     environment.

     This option is not supported on all platforms.

`-U, --user=USER'
     Switch to the given USER after initialization, at the same time as
     chroot is performed (see -chroot above).  With this option tinc
     drops privileges, for added security.

     This option is not supported on all platforms.

`--help'
     Display a short reminder of these runtime options and terminate.

`--version'
     Output version information and exit.



File: tinc.info,  Node: Signals,  Next: Debug levels,  Prev: Runtime options,  Up: Running tinc

5.2 Signals
===========

You can also send the following signals to a running tincd process:

`ALRM'
     Forces tinc to try to connect to all uplinks immediately.  Usually
     tinc attempts to do this itself, but increases the time it waits
     between the attempts each time it failed, and if tinc didn't
     succeed to connect to an uplink the first time after it started,
     it defaults to the maximum time of 15 minutes.

`HUP'
     Partially rereads configuration files.  Connections to hosts whose
     host config file are removed are closed.  New outgoing connections
     specified in `tinc.conf' will be made.  If the -logfile option is
     used, this will also close and reopen the log file, useful when
     log rotation is used.



File: tinc.info,  Node: Debug levels,  Next: Solving problems,  Prev: Signals,  Up: Running tinc

5.3 Debug levels
================

The tinc daemon can send a lot of messages to the syslog.  The higher
the debug level, the more messages it will log.  Each level inherits
all messages of the previous level:

`0'
     This will log a message indicating tinc has started along with a
     version number.  It will also log any serious error.

`1'
     This will log all connections that are made with other tinc
     daemons.

`2'
     This will log status and error messages from scripts and other
     tinc daemons.

`3'
     This will log all requests that are exchanged with other tinc
     daemons. These include authentication, key exchange and connection
     list updates.

`4'
     This will log a copy of everything received on the meta socket.

`5'
     This will log all network traffic over the virtual private network.



File: tinc.info,  Node: Solving problems,  Next: Error messages,  Prev: Debug levels,  Up: Running tinc

5.4 Solving problems
====================

If tinc starts without problems, but if the VPN doesn't work, you will
have to find the cause of the problem.  The first thing to do is to
start tinc with a high debug level in the foreground, so you can
directly see everything tinc logs:

     tincd -n NETNAME -d5 -D

If tinc does not log any error messages, then you might want to check
the following things:

   * `tinc-up' script Does this script contain the right commands?
     Normally you must give the interface the address of this host on
     the VPN, and the netmask must be big enough so that the entire VPN
     is covered.

   * Subnet Does the Subnet (or Subnets) in the host configuration file
     of this host match the portion of the VPN that belongs to this
     host?

   * Firewalls and NATs Do you have a firewall or a NAT device (a
     masquerading firewall or perhaps an ADSL router that performs
     masquerading)?  If so, check that it allows TCP and UDP traffic on
     port 655.  If it masquerades and the host running tinc is behind
     it, make sure that it forwards TCP and UDP traffic to port 655 to
     the host running tinc.  You can add `TCPOnly = yes' to your host
     config file to force tinc to only use a single TCP connection,
     this works through most firewalls and NATs.



File: tinc.info,  Node: Error messages,  Next: Sending bug reports,  Prev: Solving problems,  Up: Running tinc

5.5 Error messages
==================

What follows is a list of the most common error messages you might find
in the logs.  Some of them will only be visible if the debug level is
high enough.

`Could not open /dev/tap0: No such device'
        * You forgot to `modprobe netlink_dev' or `modprobe ethertap'.

        * You forgot to compile `Netlink device emulation' in the
          kernel.

`Can't write to /dev/net/tun: No such device'
        * You forgot to `modprobe tun'.

        * You forgot to compile `Universal TUN/TAP driver' in the
          kernel.

        * The tun device is located somewhere else in `/dev/'.

`Network address and prefix length do not match!'
        * The Subnet field must contain a _network_ address, trailing
          bits should be 0.

        * If you only want to use one IP address, set the netmask to
          /32.

`Error reading RSA key file `rsa_key.priv': No such file or directory'
        * You forgot to create a public/private keypair.

        * Specify the complete pathname to the private key file with
          the `PrivateKeyFile' option.

`Warning: insecure file permissions for RSA private key file `rsa_key.priv'!'
        * The private key file is readable by users other than root.
          Use chmod to correct the file permissions.

`Creating metasocket failed: Address family not supported'
        * By default tinc tries to create both IPv4 and IPv6 sockets.
          On some platforms this might not be implemented.  If the logs
          show `Ready' later on, then at least one metasocket was
          created, and you can ignore this message.  You can add
          `AddressFamily = ipv4' to `tinc.conf' to prevent this from
          happening.

`Cannot route packet: unknown IPv4 destination 1.2.3.4'
        * You try to send traffic to a host on the VPN for which no
          Subnet is known.

        * If it is a broadcast address (ending in .255), it probably is
          a samba server or a Windows host sending broadcast packets.
          You can ignore it.

`Cannot route packet: ARP request for unknown address 1.2.3.4'
        * You try to send traffic to a host on the VPN for which no
          Subnet is known.

`Packet with destination 1.2.3.4 is looping back to us!'
        * Something is not configured right. Packets are being sent out
          to the virtual network device, but according to the Subnet
          directives in your host configuration file, those packets
          should go to your own host. Most common mistake is that you
          have a Subnet line in your host configuration file with a
          prefix length which is just as large as the prefix of the
          virtual network interface. The latter should in almost all
          cases be larger. Rethink your configuration.  Note that you
          will only see this message if you specified a debug level of
          5 or higher!

        * Chances are that a `Subnet = ...' line in the host
          configuration file of this tinc daemon is wrong.  Change it
          to a subnet that is accepted locally by another interface, or
          if that is not the case, try changing the prefix length into
          /32.

`Node foo (1.2.3.4) is not reachable'
        * Node foo does not have a connection anymore, its tinc daemon
          is not running or its connection to the Internet is broken.

`Received UDP packet from unknown source 1.2.3.4 (port 12345)'
        * If you see this only sporadically, it is harmless and caused
          by a node sending packets using an old key.

        * If you see this often and another node is not reachable
          anymore, then a NAT (masquerading firewall) is changing the
          source address of UDP packets.  You can add `TCPOnly = yes'
          to host configuration files to force all VPN traffic to go
          over a TCP connection.

`Got bad/bogus/unauthorized REQUEST from foo (1.2.3.4 port 12345)'
        * Node foo does not have the right public/private keypair.
          Generate new keypairs and distribute them again.

        * An attacker tries to gain access to your VPN.

        * A network error caused corruption of metadata sent from foo.



File: tinc.info,  Node: Sending bug reports,  Prev: Error messages,  Up: Running tinc

5.6 Sending bug reports
=======================

If you really can't find the cause of a problem, or if you suspect tinc
is not working right, you can send us a bugreport, see *note Contact
information::.  Be sure to include the following information in your
bugreport:

   * A clear description of what you are trying to achieve and what the
     problem is.

   * What platform (operating system, version, hardware architecture)
     and which version of tinc you use.

   * If compiling tinc fails, a copy of `config.log' and the error
     messages you get.

   * Otherwise, a copy of `tinc.conf', `tinc-up' and all files in the
     `hosts/' directory.

   * The output of the commands `ifconfig -a' and `route -n' (or
     `netstat -rn' if that doesn't work).

   * The output of any command that fails to work as it should (like
     ping or traceroute).


File: tinc.info,  Node: Controlling tinc,  Next: Technical information,  Prev: Running tinc,  Up: Top

6 Controlling tinc
******************

You can control and inspect a running tincd through the tinc command. A
quick example:

     tinc -n NETNAME reload

* Menu:

* tinc runtime options::
* tinc environment variables::
* tinc commands::
* tinc examples::
* tinc top::


File: tinc.info,  Node: tinc runtime options,  Next: tinc environment variables,  Up: Controlling tinc

6.1 tinc runtime options
========================

`-c, --config=PATH'
     Read configuration options from the directory PATH.  The default is
     `/etc/tinc/NETNAME/'.

`-n, --net=NETNAME'
     Use configuration for net NETNAME. *Note Multiple networks::.

`--pidfile=FILENAME'
     Use the cookie from FILENAME to authenticate with a running tinc
     daemon.  If unspecified, the default is
     `/var/run/tinc.NETNAME.pid'.

`--help'
     Display a short reminder of runtime options and commands, then
     terminate.

`--version'
     Output version information and exit.



File: tinc.info,  Node: tinc environment variables,  Next: tinc commands,  Prev: tinc runtime options,  Up: Controlling tinc

6.2 tinc environment variables
==============================

`NETNAME'
     If no netname is specified on the command line with the `-n'
     option, the value of this environment variable is used.


File: tinc.info,  Node: tinc commands,  Next: tinc examples,  Prev: tinc environment variables,  Up: Controlling tinc

6.3 tinc commands
=================

`init [NAME]'
     Create initial configuration files and RSA and ECDSA keypairs with
     default length.  If no NAME for this node is given, it will be
     asked for.

`get VARIABLE'
     Print the current value of configuration variable VARIABLE.  If
     more than one variable with the same name exists, the value of
     each of them will be printed on a separate line.

`set VARIABLE VALUE'
     Set configuration variable VARIABLE to the given VALUE.  All
     previously existing configuration variables with the same name are
     removed.  To set a variable for a specific host, use the notation
     HOST.VARIABLE.

`add VARIABLE VALUE'
     As above, but without removing any previously existing
     configuration variables.

`del VARIABLE [VALUE]'
     Remove configuration variables with the same name and VALUE.  If
     no VALUE is given, all configuration variables with the same name
     will be removed.

`edit FILENAME'
     Start an editor for the given configuration file.  You do not need
     to specify the full path to the file.

`export'
     Export the host configuration file of the local node to standard
     output.

`export-all'
     Export all host configuration files to standard output.

`import [--force]'
     Import host configuration file(s) generated by the tinc export
     command from standard input.  Already existing host configuration
     files are not overwritten unless the option -force is used.

`exchange [--force]'
     The same as export followed by import.

`exchange-all [--force]'
     The same as export-all followed by import.

`start [tincd options]'
     Start `tincd', optionally with the given extra options.

`stop'
     Stop `tincd'.

`restart'
     Restart `tincd'.

`reload'
     Partially rereads configuration files. Connections to hosts whose
     host config files are removed are closed. New outgoing connections
     specified in `tinc.conf' will be made.

`pid'
     Shows the PID of the currently running `tincd'.

`generate-keys [BITS]'
     Generate public/private keypair of BITS length. If BITS is not
     specified, 1024 is the default. tinc will ask where you want to
     store the files, but will default to the configuration directory
     (you can use the -c or -n option).

`dump [reachable] nodes'
     Dump a list of all known nodes in the VPN.  If the reachable
     keyword is used, only lists reachable nodes.

`dump edges'
     Dump a list of all known connections in the VPN.

`dump subnets'
     Dump a list of all known subnets in the VPN.

`dump connections'
     Dump a list of all meta connections with ourself.

`dump graph | digraph'
     Dump a graph of the VPN in dotty format.  Nodes are colored
     according to their reachability: red nodes are unreachable, orange
     nodes are indirectly reachable, green nodes are directly reachable.
     Black nodes are either directly or indirectly reachable, but
     direct reachability has not been tried yet.

`info NODE | SUBNET | ADDRESS'
     Show information about a particular NODE, SUBNET or ADDRESS.  If
     an ADDRESS is given, any matching subnet will be shown.

`purge'
     Purges all information remembered about unreachable nodes.

`debug LEVEL'
     Sets debug level to LEVEL.

`log [LEVEL]'
     Capture log messages from a running tinc daemon.  An optional
     debug level can be given that will be applied only for log
     messages sent to tinc.

`retry'
     Forces tinc to try to connect to all uplinks immediately.  Usually
     tinc attempts to do this itself, but increases the time it waits
     between the attempts each time it failed, and if tinc didn't
     succeed to connect to an uplink the first time after it started,
     it defaults to the maximum time of 15 minutes.

`disconnect NODE'
     Closes the meta connection with the given NODE.

`top'
     If tinc is compiled with libcurses support, this will display live
     traffic statistics for all the known nodes, similar to the UNIX
     top command.  See below for more information.

`pcap'
     Dump VPN traffic going through the local tinc node in
     pcap-savefile format to standard output, from where it can be
     redirected to a file or piped through a program that can parse it
     directly, such as tcpdump.



File: tinc.info,  Node: tinc examples,  Next: tinc top,  Prev: tinc commands,  Up: Controlling tinc

6.4 tinc examples
=================

Examples of some commands:

     tinc -n vpn dump graph | circo -Txlib
     tinc -n vpn pcap | tcpdump -r -
     tinc -n vpn top

Example of configuring tinc using the tinc command:

     tinc -n vpn init foo
     tinc -n vpn add Subnet 192.168.1.0/24
     tinc -n vpn add bar.Address bar.example.com
     tinc -n vpn add ConnectTo bar
     tinc -n vpn export | gpg --clearsign | mail -s "My config" vpnmaster@example.com


File: tinc.info,  Node: tinc top,  Prev: tinc examples,  Up: Controlling tinc

6.5 tinc top
============

The top command connects to a running tinc daemon and repeatedly
queries its per-node traffic counters.  It displays a list of all the
known nodes in the left-most column, and the amount of bytes and
packets read from and sent to each node in the other columns.  By
default, the information is updated every second.  The behaviour of the
top command can be changed using the following keys:

<s>
     Change the interval between updates.  After pressing the <s> key,
     enter the desired interval in seconds, followed by enter.
     Fractional seconds are honored.  Intervals lower than 0.1 seconds
     are not allowed.

<c>
     Toggle between displaying current traffic rates (in packets and
     bytes per second) and cummulative traffic (total packets and bytes
     since the tinc daemon started).

<n>
     Sort the list of nodes by name.

<i>
     Sort the list of nodes by incoming amount of bytes.

<I>
     Sort the list of nodes by incoming amount of packets.

<o>
     Sort the list of nodes by outgoing amount of bytes.

<O>
     Sort the list of nodes by outgoing amount of packets.

<t>
     Sort the list of nodes by sum of incoming and outgoing amount of
     bytes.

<T>
     Sort the list of nodes by sum of incoming and outgoing amount of
     packets.

<b>
     Show amount of traffic in bytes.

<k>
     Show amount of traffic in kilobytes.

<M>
     Show amount of traffic in megabytes.

<G>
     Show amount of traffic in gigabytes.

<q>
     Quit.



File: tinc.info,  Node: Technical information,  Next: Platform specific information,  Prev: Controlling tinc,  Up: Top

7 Technical information
***********************

* Menu:

* The connection::
* The meta-protocol::
* Security::


File: tinc.info,  Node: The connection,  Next: The meta-protocol,  Up: Technical information

7.1 The connection
==================

Tinc is a daemon that takes VPN data and transmit that to another host
computer over the existing Internet infrastructure.

* Menu:

* The UDP tunnel::
* The meta-connection::


File: tinc.info,  Node: The UDP tunnel,  Next: The meta-connection,  Up: The connection

7.1.1 The UDP tunnel
--------------------

The data itself is read from a character device file, the so-called
_virtual network device_.  This device is associated with a network
interface.  Any data sent to this interface can be read from the device,
and any data written to the device gets sent from the interface.  There
are two possible types of virtual network devices: `tun' style, which
are point-to-point devices which can only handle IPv4 and/or IPv6
packets, and `tap' style, which are Ethernet devices and handle
complete Ethernet frames.

So when tinc reads an Ethernet frame from the device, it determines its
type. When tinc is in it's default routing mode, it can handle IPv4 and
IPv6 packets. Depending on the Subnet lines, it will send the packets
off to their destination IP address.  In the `switch' and `hub' mode,
tinc will use broadcasts and MAC address discovery to deduce the
destination of the packets.  Since the latter modes only depend on the
link layer information, any protocol that runs over Ethernet is
supported (for instance IPX and Appletalk).  However, only `tap' style
devices provide this information.

After the destination has been determined, the packet will be
compressed (optionally), a sequence number will be added to the packet,
the packet will then be encrypted and a message authentication code
will be appended.

When that is done, time has come to actually transport the packet to
the destination computer.  We do this by sending the packet over an UDP
connection to the destination host.  This is called _encapsulating_,
the VPN packet (though now encrypted) is encapsulated in another IP
datagram.

When the destination receives this packet, the same thing happens, only
in reverse.  So it checks the message authentication code, decrypts the
contents of the UDP datagram, checks the sequence number and writes the
decrypted information to its own virtual network device.

If the virtual network device is a `tun' device (a point-to-point
tunnel), there is no problem for the kernel to accept a packet.
However, if it is a `tap' device (this is the only available type on
FreeBSD), the destination MAC address must match that of the virtual
network interface.  If tinc is in it's default routing mode, ARP does
not work, so the correct destination MAC can not be known by the
sending host.  Tinc solves this by letting the receiving end detect the
MAC address of its own virtual network interface and overwriting the
destination MAC address of the received packet.

In switch or hub modes ARP does work so the sender already knows the
correct destination MAC address.  In those modes every interface should
have a unique MAC address, so make sure they are not the same.  Because
switch and hub modes rely on MAC addresses to function correctly, these
modes cannot be used on the following operating systems which don't
have a `tap' style virtual network device: OpenBSD, NetBSD, Darwin and
Solaris.


File: tinc.info,  Node: The meta-connection,  Prev: The UDP tunnel,  Up: The connection

7.1.2 The meta-connection
-------------------------

Having only a UDP connection available is not enough.  Though suitable
for transmitting data, we want to be able to reliably send other
information, such as routing and session key information to somebody.

TCP is a better alternative, because it already contains protection
against information being lost, unlike UDP.

So we establish two connections.  One for the encrypted VPN data, and
one for other information, the meta-data.  Hence, we call the second
connection the meta-connection.  We can now be sure that the
meta-information doesn't get lost on the way to another computer.

Like with any communication, we must have a protocol, so that everybody
knows what everything stands for, and how she should react.  Because we
have two connections, we also have two protocols.  The protocol used for
the UDP data is the "data-protocol," the other one is the
"meta-protocol."

The reason we don't use TCP for both protocols is that UDP is much
better for encapsulation, even while it is less reliable.  The real
problem is that when TCP would be used to encapsulate a TCP stream
that's on the private network, for every packet sent there would be
three ACKs sent instead of just one.  Furthermore, if there would be a
timeout, both TCP streams would sense the timeout, and both would start
re-sending packets.


File: tinc.info,  Node: The meta-protocol,  Next: Security,  Prev: The connection,  Up: Technical information

7.2 The meta-protocol
=====================

The meta protocol is used to tie all tinc daemons together, and
exchange information about which tinc daemon serves which virtual
subnet.

The meta protocol consists of requests that can be sent to the other
side.  Each request has a unique number and several parameters.  All
requests are represented in the standard ASCII character set.  It is
possible to use tools such as telnet or netcat to connect to a tinc
daemon started with the -bypass-security option and to read and write
requests by hand, provided that one understands the numeric codes sent.

The authentication scheme is described in *note Security::. After a
successful authentication, the server and the client will exchange all
the information about other tinc daemons and subnets they know of, so
that both sides (and all the other tinc daemons behind them) have their
information synchronised.

     message
     ------------------------------------------------------------------
     ADD_EDGE node1 node2 21.32.43.54 655 222 0
               |     |        |       |   |  +-> options
               |     |        |       |   +----> weight
               |     |        |       +--------> UDP port of node2
               |     |        +----------------> real address of node2
               |     +-------------------------> name of destination node
               +-------------------------------> name of source node

     ADD_SUBNET node 192.168.1.0/24
                 |         |     +--> prefixlength
                 |         +--------> network address
                 +------------------> owner of this subnet
     ------------------------------------------------------------------

The ADD_EDGE messages are to inform other tinc daemons that a
connection between two nodes exist. The address of the destination node
is available so that VPN packets can be sent directly to that node.

The ADD_SUBNET messages inform other tinc daemons that certain subnets
belong to certain nodes. tinc will use it to determine to which node a
VPN packet has to be sent.

     message
     ------------------------------------------------------------------
     DEL_EDGE node1 node2
                |     +----> name of destination node
                +----------> name of source node

     DEL_SUBNET node 192.168.1.0/24
                  |         |     +--> prefixlength
                  |         +--------> network address
                  +------------------> owner of this subnet
     ------------------------------------------------------------------

In case a connection between two daemons is closed or broken, DEL_EDGE
messages are sent to inform the other daemons of that fact. Each daemon
will calculate a new route to the the daemons, or mark them unreachable
if there isn't any.

     message
     ------------------------------------------------------------------
     REQ_KEY origin destination
                |       +--> name of the tinc daemon it wants the key from
                +----------> name of the daemon that wants the key

     ANS_KEY origin destination 4ae0b0a82d6e0078 91 64 4
                |       |       \______________/ |  |  +--> MAC length
                |       |               |        |  +-----> digest algorithm
                |       |               |        +--------> cipher algorithm
                |       |               +--> 128 bits key
                |       +--> name of the daemon that wants the key
                +----------> name of the daemon that uses this key

     KEY_CHANGED origin
                   +--> daemon that has changed it's packet key
     ------------------------------------------------------------------

The keys used to encrypt VPN packets are not sent out directly. This is
because it would generate a lot of traffic on VPNs with many daemons,
and chances are that not every tinc daemon will ever send a packet to
every other daemon. Instead, if a daemon needs a key it sends a request
for it via the meta connection of the nearest hop in the direction of
the destination.

     daemon  message
     ------------------------------------------------------------------
     origin  PING
     dest.   PONG
     ------------------------------------------------------------------

There is also a mechanism to check if hosts are still alive. Since
network failures or a crash can cause a daemon to be killed without
properly shutting down the TCP connection, this is necessary to keep an
up to date connection list. PINGs are sent at regular intervals, except
when there is also some other traffic. A little bit of salt (random
data) is added with each PING and PONG message, to make sure that long
sequences of PING/PONG messages without any other traffic won't result
in known plaintext.

This basically covers what is sent over the meta connection by tinc.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Security,  Prev: The meta-protocol,  Up: Technical information

7.3 Security
============

Tinc got its name from "TINC," short for _There Is No Cabal_; the
alleged Cabal was/is an organisation that was said to keep an eye on the
entire Internet.  As this is exactly what you _don't_ want, we named
the tinc project after TINC.

But in order to be "immune" to eavesdropping, you'll have to encrypt
your data. Because tinc is a _Secure_ VPN (SVPN) daemon, it does
exactly that: encrypt.  However, encryption in itself does not prevent
an attacker from modifying the encrypted data.  Therefore, tinc also
authenticates the data.  Finally, tinc uses sequence numbers (which
themselves are also authenticated) to prevent an attacker from
replaying valid packets.

Since version 1.1pre3, tinc has two protocols used to protect your
data; the legacy protocol, and the new Simple Peer-to-Peer Security
(SPTPS) protocol.  The SPTPS protocol is designed to address some
weaknesses in the legacy protocol.  The new authentication protocol is
used when two nodes connect to each other that both have the
ExperimentalProtocol option set to yes, otherwise the legacy protocol
will be used.

* Menu:

* Legacy authentication protocol::
* Simple Peer-to-Peer Security::
* Encryption of network packets::
* Security issues::


File: tinc.info,  Node: Legacy authentication protocol,  Next: Simple Peer-to-Peer Security,  Up: Security

7.3.1 Legacy authentication protocol
------------------------------------

     daemon  message
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------
     client  <attempts connection>

     server  <accepts connection>

     client  ID client 17.2
                   |   |  +-> minor protocol version
                   |   +----> major protocol version
                   +--------> name of tinc daemon

     server  ID server 17.2
                   |   |  +-> minor protocol version
                   |   +----> major protocol version
                   +--------> name of tinc daemon

     client  META_KEY 94 64 0 0 5f0823a93e35b69e...7086ec7866ce582b
                      |  |  | | \_________________________________/
                      |  |  | |                 +-> RSAKEYLEN bits totally random string S1,
                      |  |  | |                     encrypted with server's public RSA key
                      |  |  | +-> compression level
                      |  |  +---> MAC length
                      |  +------> digest algorithm NID
                      +---------> cipher algorithm NID

     server  META_KEY 94 64 0 0 6ab9c1640388f8f0...45d1a07f8a672630
                      |  |  | | \_________________________________/
                      |  |  | |                 +-> RSAKEYLEN bits totally random string S2,
                      |  |  | |                     encrypted with client's public RSA key
                      |  |  | +-> compression level
                      |  |  +---> MAC length
                      |  +------> digest algorithm NID
                      +---------> cipher algorithm NID
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------

The protocol allows each side to specify encryption algorithms and
parameters, but in practice they are always fixed, since older versions
of tinc did not allow them to be different from the default values. The
cipher is always Blowfish in OFB mode, the digest is SHA1, but the MAC
length is zero and no compression is used.

From now on:
   * the client will symmetrically encrypt outgoing traffic using S1

   * the server will symmetrically encrypt outgoing traffic using S2

     --------------------------------------------------------------------------
     client  CHALLENGE da02add1817c1920989ba6ae2a49cecbda0
                       \_________________________________/
                                      +-> CHALLEN bits totally random string H1

     server  CHALLENGE 57fb4b2ccd70d6bb35a64c142f47e61d57f
                       \_________________________________/
                                      +-> CHALLEN bits totally random string H2

     client  CHAL_REPLY 816a86
                           +-> 160 bits SHA1 of H2

     server  CHAL_REPLY 928ffe
                           +-> 160 bits SHA1 of H1

     After the correct challenge replies are received, both ends have proved
     their identity. Further information is exchanged.

     client  ACK 655 123 0
                  |   |  +-> options
                  |   +----> estimated weight
                  +--------> listening port of client

     server  ACK 655 321 0
                  |   |  +-> options
                  |   +----> estimated weight
                  +--------> listening port of server
     --------------------------------------------------------------------------

This legacy authentication protocol has several weaknesses, pointed out
by security export Peter Gutmann.  First, data is encrypted with RSA
without padding.  Padding schemes are designed to prevent attacks when
the size of the plaintext is not equal to the size of the RSA key.
Tinc always encrypts random nonces that have the same size as the RSA
key, so we do not believe this leads to a break of the security.  There
might be timing or other side-channel attacks against RSA encryption
and decryption, tinc does not employ any protection against those.
Furthermore, both sides send identical messages to each other, there is
no distinction between server and client, which could make a MITM
attack easier.  However, no exploit is known in which a third party who
is not already trusted by other nodes in the VPN could gain access.
Finally, the RSA keys are used to directly encrypt the session keys,
which means that if the RSA keys are compromised, it is possible to
decrypt all previous VPN traffic.  In other words, the legacy protocol
does not provide perfect forward secrecy.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Simple Peer-to-Peer Security,  Next: Encryption of network packets,  Prev: Legacy authentication protocol,  Up: Security

7.3.2 Simple Peer-to-Peer Security
----------------------------------

The SPTPS protocol is designed to address the weaknesses in the legacy
protocol.  SPTPS is based on TLS 1.2, but has been simplified: there is
no support for exchanging public keys, and there is no cipher suite
negotiation.  Instead, SPTPS always uses a very strong cipher suite:
peers authenticate each other using 521 bits ECC keys, Diffie-Hellman
using ephemeral 521 bits ECC keys is used to provide perfect forward
secrecy (PFS), AES-256-CTR is used for encryption, and HMAC-SHA-256 for
message authentication.

Similar to TLS, messages are split up in records.  A complete logical
record contains the following information:

   * uint32_t seqno (network byte order)

   * uint16_t length (network byte order)

   * uint8_t type

   * opaque data[length]

   * opaque hmac[HMAC_SIZE] (HMAC over all preceding fields)

Depending on whether SPTPS records are sent via TCP or UDP, either the
seqno or the length field is omitted on the wire (but they are still
included in the calculation of the HMAC); for TCP packets are
guaranteed to arrive in-order so we can infer the seqno, but packets
can be split or merged, so we still need the length field to determine
the boundaries between records; for UDP packets we know that there is
exactly one record per packet, and we know the length of a packet, but
packets can be dropped, duplicated and/or reordered, so we need to
include the seqno.

The type field is used to distinguish between application records or
handshake records.  Types 0 to 127 are application records, type 128 is
a handshake record, and types 129 to 255 are reserved.

Before the initial handshake, no fields are encrypted, and the HMAC
field is not present.  After the authentication handshake, the length
(if present), type and data fields are encrypted, and the HMAC field is
present.  For UDP packets, the seqno field is not encrypted, as it is
used to determine the value of the counter used for encryption.

The authentication consists of an exchange of Key EXchange, SIGnature
and ACKnowledge messages, transmitted using type 128 records.

Overview:

     Initiator   Responder
     ---------------------
     KEX ->
                 <- KEX
     SIG ->
                 <- SIG

     ...encrypt and HMAC using session keys from now on...

     App ->
                 <- App
     ...
                 ...

     ...key renegotiation starts here...

     KEX ->
                 <- KEX
     SIG ->
                 <- SIG
     ACK ->
                 <- ACK

     ...encrypt and HMAC using new session keys from now on...

     App ->
                 <- App
     ...
                 ...
     ---------------------

Note that the responder does not need to wait before it receives the
first KEX message, it can immediately send its own once it has accepted
an incoming connection.

Key EXchange message:

   * uint8_t kex_version (always 0 in this version of SPTPS)

   * opaque nonce[32] (random number)

   * opaque ecdh_key[ECDH_SIZE]

SIGnature message:

   * opaque ecdsa_signature[ECDSA_SIZE]

ACKnowledge message:

   * empty (only sent after key renegotiation)

Remarks:

   * At the start, both peers generate a random nonce and an Elliptic
     Curve public key and send it to the other in the KEX message.

   * After receiving the other's KEX message, both KEX messages are
     concatenated (see below),   and the result is signed using ECDSA.
      The result is sent to the other.

   * After receiving the other's SIG message, the signature is verified.
      If it is correct, the shared secret is calculated from the public
     keys exchanged in the KEX message using the Elliptic Curve
     Diffie-Helman algorithm.

   * The shared secret key is expanded using a PRF.    Both nonces and
     the application specific label are also used as input for the PRF.

   * An ACK message is sent only when doing key renegotiation, and is
     sent using the old encryption keys.

   * The expanded key is used to key the encryption and HMAC algorithms.

The signature is calculated over this string:

   * uint8_t initiator (0 = local peer, 1 = remote peer is initiator)

   * opaque remote_kex_message[1 + 32 + ECDH_SIZE]

   * opaque local_kex_message[1 + 32 + ECDH_SIZE]

   * opaque label[label_length]

The PRF is calculated as follows:

   * A HMAC using SHA512 is used, the shared secret is used as the key.

   * For each block of 64 bytes, a HMAC is calculated. For block n:
     hmac[n] =   HMAC_SHA512(hmac[n - 1] + seed)

   * For the first block (n = 1), hmac[0] is given by
     HMAC_SHA512(zeroes + seed),   where zeroes is a block of 64 zero
     bytes.

The seed is as follows:

   * const char[13] "key expansion"

   * opaque responder_nonce[32]

   * opaque initiator_nonce[32]

   * opaque label[label_length]

The expanded key is used as follows:

   * opaque responder_cipher_key[CIPHER_KEYSIZE]

   * opaque responder_digest_key[DIGEST_KEYSIZE]

   * opaque initiator_cipher_key[CIPHER_KEYSIZE]

   * opaque initiator_digest_key[DIGEST_KEYSIZE]

Where initiator_cipher_key is the key used by session initiator to
encrypt messages sent to the responder.

When using 521 bits EC keys, the AES-256-CTR cipher and HMAC-SHA-256
digest algorithm, the sizes are as follows:

     ECDH_SIZE:       67 (= ceil(521/8) + 1)
     ECDSA_SIZE:     141 (= 2 * ceil(521/8) + 9)
     CIPHER_KEYSIZE:  48 (= 256/8 + 128/8)
     DIGEST_KEYSIZE:  32 (= 256/8)

Note that the cipher key also includes the initial value for the
counter.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Encryption of network packets,  Next: Security issues,  Prev: Simple Peer-to-Peer Security,  Up: Security

7.3.3 Encryption of network packets
-----------------------------------

A data packet can only be sent if the encryption key is known to both
parties, and the connection is  activated. If the encryption key is not
known, a request is sent to the destination using the meta connection
to retrieve it.

The UDP packets can be either encrypted with the legacy protocol or
with SPTPS.  In case of the legacy protocol, the UDP packet containing
the network packet from the VPN has the following layout:

     ... | IP header | UDP header | seqno | VPN packet | MAC | UDP trailer
                                  \___________________/\_____/
                                            |             |
                                            V             +---> digest algorithm
                              Encrypted with symmetric cipher

So, the entire VPN packet is encrypted using a symmetric cipher,
including a 32 bits sequence number that is added in front of the
actual VPN packet, to act as a unique IV for each packet and to prevent
replay attacks. A message authentication code is added to the UDP
packet to prevent alteration of packets.  Tinc by default encrypts
network packets using Blowfish with 128 bit keys in CBC mode and uses 4
byte long message authentication codes to make sure eavesdroppers
cannot get and cannot change any information at all from the packets
they can intercept. The encryption algorithm and message authentication
algorithm can be changed in the configuration. The length of the message
authentication codes is also adjustable. The length of the key for the
encryption algorithm is always the default length used by OpenSSL.

The SPTPS protocol is described in *note Simple Peer-to-Peer Security::.
For comparison, this is how SPTPS UDP packets look:

     ... | IP header | UDP header | seqno | type | VPN packet | MAC | UDP trailer
                                          \__________________/\_____/
                                                    |            |
                                                    V            +---> digest algorithm
                                      Encrypted with symmetric cipher

The difference is that the seqno is not encrypted, since the encryption
cipher is used in CTR mode, and therefore the seqno must be known
before the packet can be decrypted.  Furthermore, the MAC is never
truncated.  The SPTPS protocol always uses the AES-256-CTR cipher and
HMAC-SHA-256 digest, this cannot be changed.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Security issues,  Prev: Encryption of network packets,  Up: Security

7.3.4 Security issues
---------------------

In August 2000, we discovered the existence of a security hole in all
versions of tinc up to and including 1.0pre2. This had to do with the
way we exchanged keys. Since then, we have been working on a new
authentication scheme to make tinc as secure as possible. The current
version uses the OpenSSL library and uses strong authentication with
RSA keys.

On the 29th of December 2001, Jerome Etienne posted a security analysis
of tinc 1.0pre4. Due to a lack of sequence numbers and a message
authentication code for each packet, an attacker could possibly disrupt
certain network services or launch a denial of service attack by
replaying intercepted packets. The current version adds sequence
numbers and message authentication codes to prevent such attacks.

On the 15th of September 2003, Peter Gutmann posted a security analysis
of tinc 1.0.1. He argues that the 32 bit sequence number used by tinc
is not a good IV, that tinc's default length of 4 bytes for the MAC is
too short, and he doesn't like tinc's use of RSA during authentication.
We do not know of a security hole in the legacy protocol of tinc, but
it is not as strong as TLS or IPsec.

This version of tinc comes with an improved protocol, called Simple
Peer-to-Peer Security, which aims to be as strong as TLS with one of
the strongest cipher suites.

Cryptography is a hard thing to get right. We cannot make any
guarantees. Time, review and feedback are the only things that can
prove the security of any cryptographic product. If you wish to review
tinc or give us feedback, you are stronly encouraged to do so.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Platform specific information,  Next: About us,  Prev: Technical information,  Up: Top

8 Platform specific information
*******************************

* Menu:

* Interface configuration::
* Routes::


File: tinc.info,  Node: Interface configuration,  Next: Routes,  Up: Platform specific information

8.1 Interface configuration
===========================

When configuring an interface, one normally assigns it an address and a
netmask.  The address uniquely identifies the host on the network
attached to the interface.  The netmask, combined with the address,
forms a subnet.  It is used to add a route to the routing table
instructing the kernel to send all packets which fall into that subnet
to that interface.  Because all packets for the entire VPN should go to
the virtual network interface used by tinc, the netmask should be such
that it encompasses the entire VPN.

For IPv4 addresses:

Linux              `ifconfig' INTERFACE ADDRESS `netmask' NETMASK
Linux iproute2     `ip addr add' ADDRESS`/'PREFIXLENGTH `dev' INTERFACE
FreeBSD            `ifconfig' INTERFACE ADDRESS `netmask' NETMASK
OpenBSD            `ifconfig' INTERFACE ADDRESS `netmask' NETMASK
NetBSD             `ifconfig' INTERFACE ADDRESS `netmask' NETMASK
Solaris            `ifconfig' INTERFACE ADDRESS `netmask' NETMASK
Darwin (MacOS/X)   `ifconfig' INTERFACE ADDRESS `netmask' NETMASK
Windows            `netsh interface ip set address' INTERFACE `static' ADDRESS NETMASK

For IPv6 addresses:

Linux              `ifconfig' INTERFACE `add' ADDRESS`/'PREFIXLENGTH
FreeBSD            `ifconfig' INTERFACE `inet6' ADDRESS `prefixlen' PREFIXLENGTH
OpenBSD            `ifconfig' INTERFACE `inet6' ADDRESS `prefixlen' PREFIXLENGTH
NetBSD             `ifconfig' INTERFACE `inet6' ADDRESS `prefixlen' PREFIXLENGTH
Solaris            `ifconfig' INTERFACE `inet6 plumb up'
                   `ifconfig' INTERFACE `inet6 addif' ADDRESS ADDRESS
Darwin (MacOS/X)   `ifconfig' INTERFACE `inet6' ADDRESS `prefixlen' PREFIXLENGTH
Windows            `netsh interface ipv6 add address' INTERFACE `static' ADDRESS/PREFIXLENGTH

On some platforms, when running tinc in switch mode, the VPN interface
must be set to tap mode with an ifconfig command:

OpenBSD            `ifconfig' INTERFACE `link0'

On Linux, it is possible to create a persistent tun/tap interface which
will continue to exist even if tinc quit, although this is normally not
required.  It can be useful to set up a tun/tap interface owned by a
non-root user, so tinc can be started without needing any root
privileges at all.

Linux              `ip tuntap add dev' INTERFACE `mode' TUN|TAP `user' USERNAME


File: tinc.info,  Node: Routes,  Prev: Interface configuration,  Up: Platform specific information

8.2 Routes
==========

In some cases it might be necessary to add more routes to the virtual
network interface.  There are two ways to indicate which interface a
packet should go to, one is to use the name of the interface itself,
another way is to specify the (local) address that is assigned to that
interface (LOCAL_ADDRESS). The former way is unambiguous and therefore
preferable, but not all platforms support this.

Adding routes to IPv4 subnets:

Linux              `route add -net' NETWORK_ADDRESS `netmask' NETMASK INTERFACE
Linux iproute2     `ip route add' NETWORK_ADDRESS`/'PREFIXLENGTH `dev' INTERFACE
FreeBSD            `route add' NETWORK_ADDRESS`/'PREFIXLENGTH LOCAL_ADDRESS
OpenBSD            `route add' NETWORK_ADDRESS`/'PREFIXLENGTH LOCAL_ADDRESS
NetBSD             `route add' NETWORK_ADDRESS`/'PREFIXLENGTH LOCAL_ADDRESS
Solaris            `route add' NETWORK_ADDRESS`/'PREFIXLENGTH LOCAL_ADDRESS `-interface'
Darwin (MacOS/X)   `route add' NETWORK_ADDRESS`/'PREFIXLENGTH LOCAL_ADDRESS
Windows            `netsh routing ip add persistentroute' NETWORK_ADDRESS NETMASK INTERFACE
                   LOCAL_ADDRESS

Adding routes to IPv6 subnets:

Linux              `route add -A inet6' NETWORK_ADDRESS`/'PREFIXLENGTH INTERFACE
Linux iproute2     `ip route add' NETWORK_ADDRESS`/'PREFIXLENGTH `dev' INTERFACE
FreeBSD            `route add -inet6' NETWORK_ADDRESS`/'PREFIXLENGTH LOCAL_ADDRESS
OpenBSD            `route add -inet6' NETWORK_ADDRESS LOCAL_ADDRESS `-prefixlen' PREFIXLENGTH
NetBSD             `route add -inet6' NETWORK_ADDRESS LOCAL_ADDRESS `-prefixlen' PREFIXLENGTH
Solaris            `route add -inet6' NETWORK_ADDRESS`/'PREFIXLENGTH LOCAL_ADDRESS `-interface'
Darwin (MacOS/X)   ?
Windows            `netsh interface ipv6 add route' NETWORK ADDRESS/PREFIXLENGTH INTERFACE


File: tinc.info,  Node: About us,  Next: Concept Index,  Prev: Platform specific information,  Up: Top

9 About us
**********

* Menu:

* Contact information::
* Authors::


File: tinc.info,  Node: Contact information,  Next: Authors,  Up: About us

9.1 Contact information
=======================

Tinc's website is at `http://www.tinc-vpn.org/', this server is located
in the Netherlands.

We have an IRC channel on the FreeNode and OFTC IRC networks. Connect to
irc.freenode.net (http://www.freenode.net/) or irc.oftc.net
(http://www.oftc.net/) and join channel #tinc.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Authors,  Prev: Contact information,  Up: About us

9.2 Authors
===========

Ivo Timmermans (zarq)

Guus Sliepen (guus) (<guus@tinc-vpn.org>)

We have received a lot of valuable input from users.  With their help,
tinc has become the flexible and robust tool that it is today.  We have
composed a list of contributions, in the file called `THANKS' in the
source distribution.


File: tinc.info,  Node: Concept Index,  Prev: About us,  Up: Top

Concept Index
*************

[index]
* Menu:

* ACK:                                   Legacy authentication protocol.
                                                              (line   6)
* ADD_EDGE:                              The meta-protocol.   (line  23)
* ADD_SUBNET:                            The meta-protocol.   (line  23)
* Address:                               Host configuration variables.
                                                              (line   6)
* AddressFamily:                         Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line   6)
* ANS_KEY:                               The meta-protocol.   (line  64)
* AutoConnect:                           Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line  12)
* binary package:                        Building and installing tinc.
                                                              (line   9)
* BindToAddress:                         Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line  19)
* BindToInterface:                       Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line  30)
* Broadcast:                             Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line  41)
* Cabal:                                 Security.            (line   6)
* CHAL_REPLY:                            Legacy authentication protocol.
                                                              (line   6)
* CHALLENGE:                             Legacy authentication protocol.
                                                              (line   6)
* CIDR notation:                         Host configuration variables.
                                                              (line  94)
* Cipher:                                Host configuration variables.
                                                              (line  12)
* ClampMSS:                              Host configuration variables.
                                                              (line  20)
* client:                                How connections work.
                                                              (line  18)
* command line:                          Runtime options.     (line   9)
* Compression:                           Host configuration variables.
                                                              (line  26)
* connection:                            The connection.      (line   6)
* ConnectTo:                             Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line  61)
* daemon:                                Running tinc.        (line  11)
* data-protocol:                         The meta-connection. (line  18)
* debug level:                           Runtime options.     (line  17)
* debug levels:                          Debug levels.        (line   6)
* DecrementTTL:                          Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line  72)
* DEL_EDGE:                              The meta-protocol.   (line  47)
* DEL_SUBNET:                            The meta-protocol.   (line  47)
* DEVICE:                                Scripts.             (line  55)
* Device:                                Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line  81)
* device files:                          Device files.        (line   6)
* DeviceType:                            Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line  88)
* Digest:                                Host configuration variables.
                                                              (line  31)
* DirectOnly:                            Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 153)
* dummy:                                 Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line  95)
* ECDSAPrivateKeyFile:                   Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 160)
* encapsulating:                         The UDP tunnel.      (line  30)
* encryption:                            Encryption of network packets.
                                                              (line   6)
* environment variables:                 Scripts.             (line  43)
* example:                               Example configuration.
                                                              (line   6)
* exec:                                  Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 321)
* ExperimentalProtocol:                  Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 164)
* Forwarding:                            Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 173)
* frame type:                            The UDP tunnel.      (line   6)
* Hostnames:                             Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 193)
* http:                                  Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 318)
* hub:                                   Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 245)
* ID:                                    Legacy authentication protocol.
                                                              (line   6)
* IndirectData:                          Host configuration variables.
                                                              (line  38)
* INTERFACE:                             Scripts.             (line  58)
* Interface:                             Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 204)
* IRC:                                   Contact information. (line   9)
* KEY_CHANGED:                           The meta-protocol.   (line  64)
* KeyExpire:                             Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 250)
* legacy authentication protocol:        Legacy authentication protocol.
                                                              (line   6)
* libcurses:                             libcurses.           (line   6)
* libraries:                             Libraries.           (line   6)
* libreadline:                           libreadline.         (line   6)
* license:                               OpenSSL.             (line  36)
* LocalDiscovery:                        Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 212)
* lzo:                                   lzo.                 (line   6)
* MACExpire:                             Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 256)
* MACLength:                             Host configuration variables.
                                                              (line  43)
* meta-protocol:                         The meta-connection. (line  18)
* META_KEY:                              Legacy authentication protocol.
                                                              (line   6)
* Mode:                                  Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 223)
* multicast:                             Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 107)
* multiple networks:                     Multiple networks.   (line   6)
* NAME:                                  Scripts.             (line  52)
* Name:                                  Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 261)
* netmask:                               Network interfaces.  (line  38)
* NETNAME <1>:                           tinc environment variables.
                                                              (line   6)
* NETNAME:                               Scripts.             (line  49)
* netname:                               Multiple networks.   (line   6)
* Network Administrators Guide:          Configuration introduction.
                                                              (line  15)
* NODE:                                  Scripts.             (line  62)
* OpenSSL:                               OpenSSL.             (line   6)
* options:                               Runtime options.     (line   9)
* PEM format:                            Host configuration variables.
                                                              (line  70)
* PING:                                  The meta-protocol.   (line  89)
* PingInterval:                          Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 272)
* PingTimeout:                           Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 276)
* platforms:                             Supported platforms. (line   6)
* PMTU:                                  Host configuration variables.
                                                              (line  50)
* PMTUDiscovery:                         Host configuration variables.
                                                              (line  53)
* PONG:                                  The meta-protocol.   (line  89)
* Port:                                  Host configuration variables.
                                                              (line  58)
* port numbers:                          Other files.         (line  17)
* PriorityInheritance:                   Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 282)
* private:                               Virtual Private Networks.
                                                              (line  10)
* PrivateKey:                            Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 287)
* PrivateKeyFile:                        Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 293)
* ProcessPriority:                       Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 298)
* Proxy:                                 Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 303)
* PublicKey:                             Host configuration variables.
                                                              (line  62)
* PublicKeyFile:                         Host configuration variables.
                                                              (line  65)
* raw_socket:                            Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 100)
* release:                               Supported platforms. (line  14)
* REMOTEADDRESS:                         Scripts.             (line  67)
* REMOTEPORT:                            Scripts.             (line  70)
* ReplayWindow:                          Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 326)
* REQ_KEY:                               The meta-protocol.   (line  64)
* requirements:                          Libraries.           (line   6)
* router:                                Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 226)
* runtime options:                       Runtime options.     (line   9)
* scalability:                           tinc.                (line  19)
* scripts:                               Scripts.             (line   6)
* server:                                How connections work.
                                                              (line  18)
* signals:                               Signals.             (line   6)
* socks4:                                Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 307)
* socks5:                                Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 312)
* SPTPS:                                 Simple Peer-to-Peer Security.
                                                              (line   6)
* StrictSubnets:                         Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 337)
* SUBNET:                                Scripts.             (line  74)
* Subnet:                                Host configuration variables.
                                                              (line  77)
* SVPN:                                  Security.            (line  11)
* switch:                                Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 234)
* TCP:                                   The meta-connection. (line  10)
* TCPonly:                               Host configuration variables.
                                                              (line 106)
* TINC:                                  Security.            (line   6)
* tinc:                                  Introduction.        (line   6)
* tinc-down:                             Scripts.             (line  18)
* tinc-up <1>:                           Network interfaces.  (line  19)
* tinc-up:                               Scripts.             (line  10)
* tincd:                                 tinc.                (line  14)
* traditional VPNs:                      tinc.                (line  19)
* tunifhead:                             Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 142)
* TunnelServer:                          Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 342)
* tunnohead:                             Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 136)
* UDP <1>:                               Encryption of network packets.
                                                              (line  11)
* UDP:                                   The UDP tunnel.      (line  30)
* UDPRcvBuf:                             Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 349)
* UDPSndBuf:                             Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 354)
* UML:                                   Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 118)
* Universal tun/tap:                     Configuration of Linux kernels.
                                                              (line   6)
* VDE:                                   Main configuration variables.
                                                              (line 123)
* virtual:                               Virtual Private Networks.
                                                              (line  18)
* virtual network device:                The UDP tunnel.      (line   6)
* VPN:                                   Virtual Private Networks.
                                                              (line   6)
* vpnd:                                  tinc.                (line   6)
* website:                               Contact information. (line   6)
* zlib:                                  zlib.                (line   6)



Tag Table:
Node: Top811
Node: Introduction1131
Node: Virtual Private Networks1935
Node: tinc3650
Node: Supported platforms5161
Node: Preparations5857
Node: Configuring the kernel6113
Node: Configuration of Linux kernels6522
Node: Configuration of FreeBSD kernels7371
Node: Configuration of OpenBSD kernels7836
Node: Configuration of NetBSD kernels8444
Node: Configuration of Solaris kernels8846
Node: Configuration of Darwin (MacOS/X) kernels9507
Node: Configuration of Windows10196
Node: Libraries10710
Node: OpenSSL11128
Node: zlib13401
Node: lzo14418
Node: libcurses15407
Node: libreadline16315
Node: Installation17251
Node: Building and installing tinc18261
Node: Darwin (MacOS/X) build environment18917
Node: Cygwin (Windows) build environment19481
Node: MinGW (Windows) build environment20066
Node: System files20584
Node: Device files20849
Node: Other files21262
Node: Configuration21875
Node: Configuration introduction22162
Node: Multiple networks23684
Node: How connections work25052
Node: Configuration files27613
Node: Main configuration variables29140
Node: Host configuration variables45548
Node: Scripts51020
Node: How to configure53696
Node: Network interfaces58178
Node: Example configuration60557
Node: Running tinc65648
Node: Runtime options66235
Node: Signals69096
Node: Debug levels69946
Node: Solving problems70882
Node: Error messages72309
Node: Sending bug reports76631
Node: Controlling tinc77583
Node: tinc runtime options77959
Node: tinc environment variables78646
Node: tinc commands78975
Node: tinc examples83404
Node: tinc top83967
Node: Technical information85553
Node: The connection85788
Node: The UDP tunnel86100
Node: The meta-connection89143
Node: The meta-protocol90601
Node: Security95575
Node: Legacy authentication protocol96911
Node: Simple Peer-to-Peer Security101526
Node: Encryption of network packets107223
Node: Security issues109850
Node: Platform specific information111576
Node: Interface configuration111804
Node: Routes114245
Node: About us116155
Node: Contact information116330
Node: Authors116731
Node: Concept Index117134

End Tag Table