STI: Extending the X-Bone Overlay Deployment Tool for Research and Classroom Use

STI-XTend增强了X-Bone自动化互联网覆盖部署和管理工具，为本地和分布式网络实验提供了一个安全的环境，以支持先进的研究和课堂使用。X-Bone采用Virtual Internet架构，在现有Unix操作系统、标准Internet协议（IPsec、SSL、动态路由）和应用的基础上，支持安全、并发的vpn （overlay network）。它目前缺乏一些先进的设施，一些网络研究人员和教师要求。sti - extend对X-Bone进行了增强，以支持重新访问、动态拓扑控制，将其移植到其他平台，并增强了与网络应用程序集成的API。该工具将与其他支持材料（示例、脚本演示和说明）一起进一步打包，以增强其在研究和教育社区中的使用。这些扩展包括：支持大规模网络仿真：STI-XTend允许覆盖层重新访问网络组件，允许一小组设备使用真实的协议和应用程序模拟大型网络。动态拓扑控制：STI-XTend允许通过添加或删除节点或链接来修改覆盖拓扑，并指定所使用的响应节点的子集（相对于任意选择）。这提供了对参与者和拓扑的精确控制，允许可重复部署。支持其他平台：X-Bone支持Unix主机和基于主机的路由器；STIXTend为其他平台（MacOS、Solaris）提供端口，并增加了IPv6、多播和单板系统，用于封闭平台的适度安装和控制。增强用户界面、API和组件：STI-XTend增强了X-Bone的GUI，并更新了其模块化组件和功能，例如动态路由（目前使用的是已废弃的门控和MRTd）。X-Bone基于抽象的虚拟互联网（Virtual Internet， VI）架构，该架构描述了并发并行和分层覆盖。VI模型激发了两层封装的灵感，将IPsec与动态路由唯一地集成在一起，并被用于将web搜索、DNS查找、IP转发和ARP（媒体层地址解析）作为单一通用服务的实例统一起来。STI-XTend增强了VI架构，包括重新访问和动态拓扑控制（对于IPsec、IPv6和动态路由尤其困难），以及确保X-Bone API的正确性。在过去的3年半时间里，X-Bone软件已经发布了4个公开代码版本和18个公开演示。它是FreeBSD ports集合的一部分，可以作为Linux RPM获得。

STI-XTend augments the X-Bone automated Internet overlay deployment and management tool to provide a secure environment for local and distributed network experiments, to support advanced research and classroom use. The X-Bone applies a Virtual Internet architecture to support secure, concurrent overlay networks (VPNs) using existing Unix operating systems, standard Internet protocols (IPsec, SSL, dynamic routing), and applications. It currently lacks some advanced facilities requested by a number of network researchers and faculty. STI-Xtend augments the X-Bone to support revisitation, dynamic topology control, ports it to additional platforms, and augments its API for integration with networked applications. The tool will be further packaged with additional support materials (examples, scripted demonstrations, and instructions) to enhance its use by the research and educational community. The extensions are:Support large-scale network emulation: STI-XTend allows overlays to revisit network components, allowing a small set of devices to emulate a large network using real protocols and applications. Dynamic topology control: STI-XTend allows overlay topologies to be modified by adding or deleting nodes or links, and to specify subset of responding nodes used (vs. arbitrary selection). This provides precise control of the participants and topology, allowing repeatable deployments.Support additional platforms: The X-Bone supports Unix hosts and host-based routers; STIXTend provides ports for other platforms (MacOS, Solaris) and adds IPv6, multicast, and a single-board system for modest installations and control of closed platforms.Augment user interfaces, API, and components: STI-XTend augments the X-Bone's GUI and updates its modular components and capabilities, e.g., dynamic routing (currently using defunct GateD and MRTd). The X-Bone is based on the abstract Virtual Internet (VI) architecture, which describes concurrent parallel and hierarchical overlays. The VI model inspired two-layer encapsulation to uniquely integrate IPsec with dynamic routing, and is being used to unify web search, DNS lookup, IP forwarding, and ARP (media-layer address resolution) as instances of a single, generic service. STI-XTend augments the VI architecture to include revisitation and dynamic topology control (especially difficult with IPsec, IPv6, and dynamic routing), as well as ensuring the correctness of the X-Bone API.Over the past 3 1/2 years, there have been 4 public code releases and 18 public demonstrations of the X-Bone software. It is part of the FreeBSD ports collection and available as a Linux RPM.