![Corda](https://www.corda.net/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/fg005_corda_b.png)

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Design Decision: TLS termination point
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## Background / Context

Design of the [float](../design.md) is critically influenced by the decision of where TLS connections to the node should be terminated.



## Options Analysis

### 1. Terminate TLS on Firewall



#### Advantages

1.    Common practice for DMZ web solutions, often with an HSM associated with the Firewall and should be familiar for banks to setup.
2.    Doesn’t expose our private key in the less trusted DMZ context.
3.    Bugs in the firewall TLS engine will be patched frequently.
4.    The DMZ float server would only require a self-signed certificate/private key to enable secure communications, so theft of this key has no impact beyond the compromised machine.

#### Disadvantages

1.    May limit cryptography options to RSA, and prevent checking of X500 names (only the root certificate checked) - Corda certificates are not totally standard.
2.    Doesn’t allow identification of the message source.
3.    May require additional work and SASL support code to validate the ultimate origin of connections in the float.

#### Variant option 1a: Include SASL connection checking

##### Advantages

1. Maintain authentication support
2. Can authenticate against keys held internally e.g. Legal Identity not just TLS.

##### Disadvantages

1. More work than the do-nothing approach

2. More protocol to design for sending across the inner firewall.

   ​

### 2. Direct TLS Termination onto Float

#### Advantages

1. Validate our PKI certificates directly ourselves.
2. Allow messages to be reliably tagged with source.

#### Disadvantages

1. We don’t currently use the identity to check incoming packets, only for connection authentication anyway.
2. Management of Private Key a challenge requiring extra work and security implications. Options for this are presented below.

#### Variant Option 2a: Float TLS certificate via direct HSM

##### Advantages

1. Key can’t be stolen (only access to signing operations)
2. Audit trail of signings.

##### Disadvantages

1. Accessing HSM from DMZ probably not allowed.
2. Breaks the inbound-connection-only rule of modern DMZ.

#### Variant Option 2b: Tunnel signing requests to bridge manager

##### Advantages

1. No new connections involved from Float box.
2. No access to actual private key from DMZ.

##### Disadvantages

1. Requires implementation of a message protocol, in addition to a key provider that can be passed to the standard SSLEngine, but proxies signing requests.

#### Variant Option 2c: Store key on local file system

##### Advantages

1. Simple with minimal extra code required.
2. Delegates access control to bank’s own systems.
3. Risks losing only the TLS private key, which can easily be revoked. This isn’t the legal identity key at all.

##### Disadvantages

1. Risks losing the TLS private key.
2. Probably not allowed.

## Recommendation and justification

Proceed with Variant option 1a: Terminate on firewall; include SASL connection checking.



## Decision taken

[DNB Meeting, 16/11/2017](./drb-meeting-20171116.md): Proceed with option 2b - Terminate on float, inject key from internal portion of the float  (RGB, JC, MH agreed)
