Internet Formula Embed OS/IP User Guide CPU independent TCP/IP Stack For Embedded Applications

Embedded IPv4/IPv6 TCP/IP Stack

Many of the Internet protocols have traditionally only been available to workstation-class computers without any resource constraints. Interpeak now introduces IPNET, a full-featured IPv4/IPv6 dual-stack, specifically designed to be used in modern embedded real-time systems.

With the huge expansion of the Internet, TCP/IP has become the preferred protocol for local- and wide-area networks. The original design of the TCP/IP protocol surprisingly dates back to the early eighties, but new features are continuously added by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

TCP/IP is also widely used when connecting networked embedded realtimesystems. TCP/IP stacks designed
for use in embedded systems do however often have limitations in functionality. This is often caused by memory and timing constraints, but also by the fact that stack vendors have problems to keep up with the continuous flow of new protocols specified by the IETF.

The full set of TCP/IP protocols has therefore traditionally only been available to desktop computers and servers. Although the limited functionality of embedded TCP/IP stacks may have been sufficient in many cases, modern embedded real-time systems often demand a full-featured stack that supports a substantial part of the IETF protocols. Interpeak, with its long experience of embedded networking products, therefore introduces IPNET—a fullfeatured dual IPv4/IPv6 stack specifically designed and implemented from   the ground up to be used in modern embedded real-time systems.

• IPv4   • IPv6  • IPsec  • PPP  • TCP   • UDP  • NAT  • Ethernet/ARP/NDP  • ICMPv4/ICMPv6                • IGMPv2/MLDv1 (Host and Proxy) • IPIP/GRE

Internet Protocol, Version 6
Interpeak IPNET supports IPv6, which extends the current IP protocol specification in a number of important aspects. The IPNET IPv6 implementation is RFC compliant and compatibility tested against major operating systems like Solaris, Linux, Windows XP, various BSD implementations etc.

Simultaneous Use of IPv4 and IPv6 Applications
The transition from IPv4 to IPv6 will take several years to finalize. During this period, a common situation will be that a TCP/IP stack has to support communication with both type of nodes. Interpeak IPNET is a true IPv4/IPv6 dual-stack that handles simultaneous use of IPv4 and IPv6 in a variety of configurations.

IPNET also handles all types of IP-in-IP tunneling, supporting the mix of IPv4 and IPv6 traffic that
can appear in heterogenous IPv4/ IPv6 networks.

Built-in Security
IPNET includes a built-in IPsec module for both IPv4 and IPv6, as well as NAT. IPsec Internet Protocol Security transparently secures applications by enabling authentication, integrity, encryption and replay
protection. NAT—Network Address Translation makes it possible to hide the local network topology, as well as using a single public IP address  for an entire LAN. The Firewall, NAT and IPsec functionality is tightly integrated with IPNET for optimum performance as well as guaranteed interoperability.

Packet Filtering
IPNET contains a packet filtering engine, allowing filtering of traffic based on interface, protocol, port, tos, ttl,
source destination and many other factors. This can be used to implement security features like firewalls, and also for other types of customizations.

MIB-II Support
Remote management and control of the TCP/IP stack is allowed using the SNMP protocol. Necessary MIB-II statistics are gathered by the kernel for each access by SNMP agents. MIB-II tables include: Interfaces, IP, Address Translation, ICMP, TCP, and UDP.

• Raw IP/UDP/TCP BSD sockets
• Routing sockets, used by routing daemons
• PFKEYv2 sockets, used by key management daemons
• MIB control interface
• Zero-copy API based on BSD sockets
• Dynamic configuration interface
• Link Layer Interface, enables additional link layer types, e.g. IEEE 802.11, ATM, etc.
• Driver Interface, using the RTOS BSP drivers