Novell is now a part of Micro Focus

Recommended update for FreeS/WAN

Knowledgebase

(Last modified: 17MAY2002)


solutions Recommended update for FreeS/WAN SuSE Linux Maintenance Web (33ee9cef7655ce79ca52f83958f46553)

Applies to

Product(s): SuSE eMail Server III
SuSE Linux Enterprise Server 7 for IA32
SuSE Linux Connectivity Server

Package: freeswan
Architecture: i386
Release: 20020517
Obsoletes: none

Indications

This update should be installed if you use FreeS/WAN for IPsec
connections/tunnels.

Contraindications

Updated kernel (2.4.18) package needed which includes the needed
updated ipsec.o kernel module.

Problem description

FreeS/WAN-1.91 with X.509 support as shipped on SLES7 shows problems with fragmentation and masquerading. When the IPsec gateway was set up to masquerade network packets from the internal network through the IPsec tunnel, network packets that needed fragmentation would be lost, as the ICMP message that indicates that fragmentation was needed did not find its way back to the internal machine.
This could be worked around by setting a small MTU or by switching off Path MTU discovery on all the internal machines which is not a satisfactory solution.
The newer version of FreeS/WAN (1.95 with X.509 0.9.8) fixes this problem: The ICMP does find its way back now.
Note that the X.509 support has become much more mature in this version. Conversions of certificates to the binary format (DER) are not needed any more. X.509 distinguished names can be specified without the leading '@' now. The old syntax config files should still be accepted.
If you install this update, you also need the updated kernel (2.4.18) package which includes the right ipsec.o kernel module (created from the FreeS/WAN-1.95 sources).
Therefore before you install this update, please update your kernel and shutdown your IPsec connections (if you any IPsec connections configured) with
rcipsec stop
You will be able to use FreeS/WAN again after booting the new kernel.

Solution

Please install the updates provided at the location noted below.

Installation notes

This update is provided as an RPM package that can easily be installed onto a running system by using this command:
rpm -Uvh freeswan.rpm
You will be able to use FreeS/WAN again after booting the new kernel.

links to download packages

Download Source Packages

Download the source code of the patches for maintained products.


Disclaimer

The Origin of this information may be internal or external to Novell. Novell makes all reasonable efforts to verify this information. However, the information provided in this document is for your information only. Novell makes no explicit or implied claims to the validity of this information.

Any trademarks referenced in this document are the property of their respective owners. Consult your product manuals for complete trademark information.

© Copyright Micro Focus or one of its affiliates