Figure 160 Ike Sa: Main Negotiation Mode, Steps 3 - 4: Dh Key Exchange; Figure 161 Ike Sa: Main Negotiation Mode, Steps 5 - 6: Authentication - ZyXEL Communications ZYWALL 2 PLUS User Manual

Chapter 14 IPSec VPN
14.3.1.1 Diffie-Hellman (DH) Key Exchange
The ZyWALL and the remote IPSec router use a DH key exchange to establish a shared secret,
which is used to generate encryption keys for IKE SA and IPSec SA. In main mode, the DH
key exchange is done in steps 3 and 4, as illustrated below.

Figure 160 IKE SA: Main Negotiation Mode, Steps 3 - 4: DH Key Exchange

The DH key exchange is based on DH key groups. Each key group is a fixed number of bits
long. The longer the key, the more secure the encryption keys, but also the longer it takes to
encrypt and decrypt information. For example, DH2 keys (1024 bits) are more secure than
DH1 keys (768 bits), but DH2 encryption keys take longer to encrypt and decrypt.
14.3.1.2 Authentication
Before the ZyWALL and remote IPSec router establish an IKE SA, they have to verify each
other's identity. This process is based on pre-shared keys and router identities.
In main mode, the ZyWALL and remote IPSec router authenticate each other in steps 5 and 6,
as illustrated below. Their identities are encrypted using the encryption algorithm and
encryption key the ZyWALL and remote IPSec router selected in previous steps.

Figure 161 IKE SA: Main Negotiation Mode, Steps 5 - 6: Authentication

The ZyWALL and remote IPSec router use a pre-shared key in the authentication process,
though it is not actually transmitted or exchanged.
The ZyWALL and the remote IPSec router must use the same pre-shared key.
Router identity consists of ID type and ID content. The ID type can be IP address, domain
name, or e-mail address, and the ID content is a specific IP address, domain name, or e-mail
address. The ID content is only used for identification; the IP address, domain name, or e-mail
address that you enter does not have to actually exist.
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