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Improve diagnostic accuracy of Secure+ error messages

We often get Secure+ error messages (prefix CSPA) that don’t necessarily indicate a Secure+ issue.  This makes it difficult to monitor for errors.  The error messages that have caused us the most difficulty are:

 

  • CSPA202E SSL handshake failure, reason=Socket closed by remote partner
  • CSPA202E SSL handshake failure, reason=SNODE ERROR
  • CSPA003E Security Violation - SNODE authentication error
  • CSPA004E Security Violation - PNODE authentication error

 

We often see these error messages but they reflect a transient networking issue rather than an actual Secure+ error.  That makes it difficult to alert on Secure+ issues because of the large number of false positives we would generate with a simple message alert.  

 

If the SSL handshake fails because the remote side doesn’t respond or sends a TCP reset, we would like the error message to indicate that as opposed to the case where the SSL handshake fails because of a true SSL handshake failure. The former error is transient while the latter will require some change to the security configuration on either the remote or local node to correct the problem.

 

I’ve attached a document showing some examples of CSPA error messages followed by successful connections.

CSPA messages.docx
CSPA messages.docx
View full size image
CSPA messages.docx
  • Guest
  • Jun 1 2018
  • Delivered
Connect:Direct for Z/OS
What is your industry? Financial Markets
How will this idea be used?

If implemented, we will use this idea to improve the monitoring of remote nodes.  Currently, we have a custom-built monitor running in CA's Netmaster product that checks connectivity to remote nodes by submitting a "heartbeat" process periodically and monitoring whether the connection succeeds.  with accurate diagnostic messages we will more easily be able to alert our Operations team if there are Secure+ issues.
  • Guest commented
    9 Jun, 2020 06:24pm

    My apologies. The post below should have read:

    This feature is now available in Connect Direct for z/OS 6.1.

    Updated messages SVTM600i and SVTM601i are issued for true SSL handshake errors.

  • Guest commented
    9 Jun, 2020 06:03pm

    This feature is now available in Connect Direct for z/OS 6.1.

    New messages SVTM600i and SVTM601i are issued for true SSL handshake errors.

  • Admin
    Chris Sanders commented
    14 Aug, 2018 01:20pm

    Thank you for opening this enhancement request with IBM.  I have reviewed it with my developers and we are all in agreement that this would be a worthwhile enhancement to C:D for z/OS.  We have accepted this as an Uncommitted Candidate and will look to make improvements to recoverable security related messages.  Some messages will not be changed as that could create security concerns however.  I'll look to add this to our offering roadmap moving forward.

     

    SIncerly,

    Chris Sanders

    Connect:Direct Offering Manager

  • Guest commented
    7 Jun, 2018 12:18pm

    I vote yes

  • Guest commented
    1 Jun, 2018 09:42pm

    I vote YES to this idea

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