ip-token

ip token { add | delete | show | flush } [ dev IFACE ] [ options ]

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

ip(8), ip-xfrm(8)