ip-token
Obtain or manage IP address tokens
SYNOPSIS
ip token { add | delete | show | flush } [ dev IFACE ] [ options ]
PARAMETERS
add
Adds a new IPsec token.
delete
Deletes an existing IPsec token.
show
Displays information about IPsec tokens.
flush
Flushes (deletes) all IPsec tokens. Use with caution!
dev IFACE
Specifies the network interface (IFACE) associated with the IPsec token. If not specified, the token is considered global.
help
Show usage information.
DESCRIPTION
The `ip token` command is used to manage and display IPsec security associations (SAs) and tokens, which are cryptographic keys and policies used to secure network traffic.
It allows administrators to create, delete, list, and modify IPsec tokens associated with a specific interface or globally. These tokens define encryption algorithms, authentication methods, and other security parameters.
By using `ip token`, you can define and enforce security policies for your IPsec connections, ensuring secure communication between hosts or networks. This command is essential for configuring and maintaining IPsec VPNs and other secure network tunnels. Furthermore, it allows for managing the lifetime of these tokens and the underlying keys.
CAVEATS
Modifying IPsec configurations can disrupt network connectivity if not done carefully. Always test changes in a non-production environment first. Refer to the ip-xfrm(8) man page for more information on XFRM-related attributes and configuration.
SECURITY CONSIDERATIONS
When managing IPsec tokens, it's crucial to use strong encryption algorithms and key lengths to protect against eavesdropping and tampering. Regularly rotate keys to minimize the impact of potential key compromises. Ensure that your IPsec configuration complies with relevant security standards and best practices. Consider using a hardware security module (HSM) to securely store and manage cryptographic keys.
HISTORY
The `iproute2` suite, which includes the `ip` command, has been developed and maintained by Stephen Hemminger and other contributors. The `ip token` command was introduced to provide more granular control over IPsec security associations and key management within the Linux kernel. The specific evolution of the command and its options can be tracked through the `iproute2` source code repositories and mailing list archives.