A framework for IPSec functional architecture

In today's network, various stand-alone security services and/or proxies are used to provide different security services. These individual security systems implementing one single security function cannot address security needs of evolving networks that require secure protocol such as IPSec.; In this paper, we provide a framework for implementing IPSec security functions in a well structured functional architecture. The proposed architecture is modular and allows for composing software applications from products commercially available and developed by different suppliers to implement the entire security requirements of IPSec protocol.; In addition the proposed architecture is robust in the sense that it supports open standards and interfaces, and implements security functions of IPSec as an integrated solution under a unified security management system.