DIAMETER
The Diameter base protocol is intended to provide an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) framework for applications such as network access or IP mobility. Diameter is also intended to work in both local Authentication, Authorization & Accounting and roaming situations. This document specifies the message format, transport, error reporting, accounting and security services to be used by all Diameter applications. The Diameter base application needs to be supported by all Diameter implementations.
History
This is the successor of the RADIUS protocol.
Protocol dependencies
TCP: Typically, DIAMETER uses TCP as its transport protocol. The well known TCP port for DIAMETER traffic is 3868.
SCTP: Typically, DIAMETER uses SCTP as its transport protocol. The well known SCTP port for DIAMETER traffic is 3868.
Example traffic
XXX - Add example traffic here (as plain text or Wireshark screenshot).
Wireshark
The DIAMETER dissector is fully functional. The dissection of AVP:s is specified in .xml files in the diameter directory. Wireshark 0.99.7 or later reads these files without any extra libraries. You can add AVP dissection of vendor specific or missing AVP:s by editing those files. If you add publicly available AVP:s please send us the updates. Currently there is a problem with application Id, if two AVP:s have the same vendor Id but different Application ID WS can't distinguish between them Bug1494.
A known problem is 3GPP vendor specific AVP:s in the range 1 - 26 in TGPPGmb.xml and imscxdx.xml which is mutaly exlusive and depending on which 3GPP interface you are tracing they have to be commented out.
Preference Settings
- TCP Port(s)/range. TCP packets on this port(s)/range will be dissected as Diameter.
- SCTP port. SCTP packets on this port will be dissected as Diameter.
- Reassemble Diameter messages spanning multiple TCP segments. Default on.
Example capture file
XXX - Add a simple example capture file to the SampleCaptures page and link from here. Keep it short, it's also a good idea to gzip it to make it even smaller, as Wireshark can open gzipped files automatically.
Display Filter
A complete list of DIAMETER display filter fields can be found in the display filter reference
Show only DIAMETER traffic:
diameter
Capture Filter
You cannot directly filter DIAMETER protocols while capturing. However, if you know the TCP port used (see above), you can filter on that one.
Capture DIAMETER traffic over the default TCP port (3868):
tcp port 3868
External links
RFC 3588 Diameter Base Protocol
RFC 3589 Diameter Command Codes for Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Release 5
RFC 4004 Diameter Mobile IPv4 Application
RFC 4005 Diameter Network Access Server Application
RFC 4006 Diameter Credit-control Application
RFC 4072 Diameter Extensible Authentication Protocol (EAP) Application
RFC 4740 Diameter Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) Application
Internet-drafts:
* Client SMTP Validation (CSV)
Open source Diameter implementation: