From: M.Gream@uts.EDU.AU (Matthew Gream)
Date: Tue, 6 Dec 94 16:15:47 PST
To: "L. Todd Masco" <cactus@hks.net>
Subject: Re: GUCAPI (Grand Unified Crypto API)
In-Reply-To: <199412062348.SAA16082@bb.hks.net>
Message-ID: <199412070014.AA13652@sequoia.itd.uts.EDU.AU>
MIME-Version: 1.0
Content-Type: text/plain



`"L. Todd Masco"' wrote:
> Ah, I knew of the GSSAPI's existence but hadn't realized that its scope
> included what I wanted.  I'll read the draft on the internic and see
> if it does what I want.  If so, the next logical step is to wrap RSAREF
> in it and to make a PGPish-wraparound.
> 
> I'd certainly be up to the former;  Would anybody else be interested in
> ponying up their time and effort for the PGP instance?  (The draft
> is ftpable from ftp.internic.net,
> /internet-drafts/draft-ietf-cat-gssv2-00.txt)
>

Ohh, I misinterpreted. You're talking about a high level interface that
assumes cryptographic operations are already being used for specific
purposes (ie. `signature', `GetMIC', `VerifyMIC', `Wrap', `Unwrap').

I was thinking more about the layer below this, the primitive operations 
that don't make assumptions on what the user is going to do; and 
limitations placed thereupon.

ps.

In the middle of the year I worked on a Radio Show that delved into the
PGP and Clipper debarcle, it was titled `Tales from the Crypt'.
Subsequently I submitted it for a Government sponsored contest for
excellence in technical, science and engineering journalism. I found
out yesterday that I've taken out a prize for the best work conducted
by someone under the age of 26. There is a certain irony in being
awarded the prize by a Government department :-).

--
Matthew Gream
(sw/hw engineer)
<M.Gream@uts.edu.au>
(02) 821-2043