Check and Install Your Label Encodings File

Your encodings file must be compatible with any Trusted Extensions host with which you are communicating.

Trusted Extensions installs a default label_encodings file. This default file is useful for demonstrations. However, this file might not be a good choice for your use. If you plan to use the default file, you can skip this procedure.

• If you are familiar with encodings files, you can use the following procedure.

• If you are not familiar with encodings files, consult Solaris Trusted Extensions Label Administration for requirements, procedures, and examples.

You must successfully install labels before continuing, or the configuration will fail.

Before You Begin

You are the security administrator. The security administrator is responsible for editing, checking, and maintaining the label_encodings file. If you plan to edit the label_encodings file, make sure that the file itself is writable. For more information, see the label_encodings(4) man page.

1. Insert the media with the label_encodings file into the appropriate device.

2. Copy the label_encodings file to the disk.

3. Check the syntax of the file and make it the active label_encodings file.

   Use the command line.

   1. Open a terminal window.

   2. Run the chk_encodings command.

      # /usr/sbin/chk_encodings /full-pathname-of-label-encodings-file

   3. Read the output and do one of the following:

      • Resolve errors.

        If the command reports errors, the errors must be resolved before continuing. For assistance, see Chapter 3, Creating a Label Encodings File (Tasks), in Solaris Trusted Extensions Label Administration

      • Make the file the active label_encodings file.

        # cp /full-pathname-of-label-encodings-file \ /etc/security/tsol/label.encodings.site # cd /etc/security/tsol # cp label_encodings label_encodings.tx.orig # cp label.encodings.site label_encodings

   ---

   Caution –

   Your label_encodings file must pass the Check Encodings test before you continue.

   ---

Example 4–1 Checking label_encodings Syntax on the Command Line

In this example, the administrator tests several label_encodings files by using the command line.

# /usr/sbin/chk_encodings /var/encodings/label_encodings1
No errors found in /var/encodings/label_encodings1
# /usr/sbin/chk_encodings /var/encodings/label_encodings2
No errors found in /var/encodings/label_encodings2

When management decides to use the label_encodings2 file, the administrator runs a semantic analysis of the file.

# /usr/sbin/chk_encodings -a /var/encodings/label_encodings2
No errors found in /var/encodings/label_encodings2

---> VERSION = MYCOMPANY LABEL ENCODINGS  2.0 10/10/2006

---> CLASSIFICATIONS <---

   Classification 1: PUBLIC
   Initial Compartment bits: 10
   Initial Markings bits: NONE

---> COMPARTMENTS AND MARKINGS USAGE ANALYSIS <---
...
---> SENSITIVITY LABEL to COLOR MAPPING <---
...

The administrator prints a copy of the semantic analysis for her records, then moves the file to the /etc/security/tsol directory.

# cp /var/encodings/label_encodings2 /etc/security/tsol/label.encodings.10.10.06
# cd /etc/security/tsol
# cp label_encodings label_encodings.tx.orig
# cp label.encodings.10.10.06 label_encodings

Finally, the administrator verifies that the label_encodings file is the company file.

# /usr/sbin/chk_encodings -a /etc/security/tsol/label_encodings | head -4
No errors found in /etc/security/tsol/label_encodings

---> VERSION = MYCOMPANY LABEL ENCODINGS  2.0 10/10/2006