RFC 3268 (rfc3268) - Page 1 of 7
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) Ciphersuites for Transport Layer Security (TLS)
Alternative Format: Original Text Document
Network Working Group P. Chown
Request for Comments: 3268 Skygate Technology
Category: Standards Track June 2002
Advanced Encryption Standard (AES) Ciphersuites for Transport Layer
Security (TLS)
Status of this Memo
This document specifies an Internet standards track protocol for the
Internet community, and requests discussion and suggestions for
improvements. Please refer to the current edition of the "Internet
Official Protocol Standards" (STD 1) for the standardization state
and status of this protocol. Distribution of this memo is unlimited.
Copyright Notice
Copyright (C) The Internet Society (2002). All Rights Reserved.
Abstract
This document proposes several new ciphersuites. At present, the
symmetric ciphers supported by Transport Layer Security (TLS) are
RC2, RC4, International Data Encryption Algorithm (IDEA), Data
Encryption Standard (DES), and triple DES. The protocol would be
enhanced by the addition of Advanced Encryption Standard (AES)
ciphersuites.
Overview
At present, the symmetric ciphers supported by TLS are RC2, RC4,
IDEA, DES, and triple DES. The protocol would be enhanced by the
addition of AES [AES] ciphersuites, for the following reasons:
1. RC2, RC4, and IDEA are all subject to intellectual property
claims. RSA Security Inc. has trademark rights in the names RC2
and RC4, and claims that the RC4 algorithm itself is a trade
secret. Ascom Systec Ltd. owns a patent on the IDEA algorithm.
2. Triple DES is much less efficient than more modern ciphers.
3. Now that the AES process is completed there will be commercial
pressure to use the selected cipher. The AES is efficient and has
withstood extensive cryptanalytic efforts. The AES is therefore a
desirable choice.
Chown Standards Track