Preface

Labels, clearances, and handling instructions are used to protect information on a system that is configured with Solaris Trusted Extensions software. The components of labels, clearances, and handling instructions are specified in the label_encodings file. This guide provides background for creating or modifying the file. The guide provides examples, and helps you to create and install a label_encodings file that is appropriate for your site.

Who Should Use This Book

This book is for security administrators. Security administrators are responsible for defining the organization's labels. Some security administrators are also responsible for implementing the labels. This book is for definers and implementers.

Note –

Even though Trusted Extensions can be configured with no visible labels, labels are always being used. Labels provide mandatory access control (MAC), and MAC is always enforced. Therefore, the site's label_encodings file must be in place before any users or roles are created.

Trusted Extensions installs a default label_encodings file. The security administrator must provide a file that is appropriate for the site.

The security administrator who implements the labels should be familiar with Solaris administration. The necessary level of knowledge can be acquired through training and documentation. For details, see Documentation, Support, and Training.

How the Solaris Trusted Extensions Books Are Organized

The Solaris Trusted Extensions documentation set supplements the documentation for the Solaris 10 5/08 release. Review both sets of documentation for a more complete understanding of Solaris Trusted Extensions. The Solaris Trusted Extensions documentation set consists of the following books.

Book Title	Topics	Audience
Solaris Trusted Extensions Transition Guide	Obsolete. Provides an overview of the differences between Trusted Solaris 8 software, Solaris 10 5/08 software, and Solaris Trusted Extensions software. For this release, the What's New document for the Solaris OS provides an overview of Trusted Extensions changes.	All
Solaris Trusted Extensions Reference Manual	Obsolete. Provides Solaris Trusted Extensions man pages for the Solaris 10 10/06 and Solaris 10 8/07 releases of Trusted Extensions . For this release, Trusted Extensions man pages are included with the Solaris man pages.	All
Solaris Trusted Extensions User’s Guide	Describes the basic features of Solaris Trusted Extensions. This book contains a glossary.	End users, administrators, developers
Solaris Trusted Extensions Installation and Configuration	Obsolete. Describes how to plan for, install, and configure Solaris Trusted Extensions for the Solaris 10 10/06 and Solaris 10 8/07 releases of Trusted Extensions.	Administrators, developers
Solaris Trusted Extensions Configuration Guide	Starting with the Solaris 10 5/08 release, describes how to enable and initially configure Solaris Trusted Extensions. Replaces Solaris Trusted Extensions Installation and Configuration.	Administrators, developers
Solaris Trusted Extensions Administrator’s Procedures	Shows how to perform specific administration tasks.	Administrators, developers
Solaris Trusted Extensions Developer’s Guide	Describes how to develop applications with Solaris Trusted Extensions.	Developers, administrators
Solaris Trusted Extensions Label Administration	Provides information about how to specify label components in the label encodings file.	Administrators
Compartmented Mode Workstation Labeling: Encodings Format	Describes the syntax used in the label encodings file. The syntax enforces the various rules for well-formed labels for a system.	Administrators

How This Book Is Organized

Chapter 1, Labels in Trusted Extensions Software discusses labels-related concepts for the security administrator who prepares the site's label_encodings file.
Chapter 2, Planning Labels (Tasks) provides planning steps for the security administrator who prepares the site's label_encodings file. This chapter also describes the encodings files that Trusted Extensions provides.
Chapter 3, Making a Label Encodings File (Tasks) describes how to create, customize, and check the label_encodings file.
Chapter 4, Labeling Printer Output (Tasks) describes the labels and handling instructions on printer output and gives procedures for modifying them.
Chapter 5, Customizing LOCAL DEFINITIONS describes the optional LOCAL DEFINITIONS section of the label_encodings file.
Chapter 6, Example: Planning an Organization's Labels models how a site analyzes its label requirements and creates a label_encodings file.
Appendix A, Sample Label Encodings File contains the example of the label_encodings file from Chapter 6, Example: Planning an Organization's Labels.

Documentation, Support, and Training

The Sun web site provides information about the following additional resources:

Typographic Conventions

The following table describes the typographic conventions that are used in this book.

Table P–1 Typographic Conventions


Typeface	Meaning	Example
`AaBbCc123`	The names of commands, files, and directories, and onscreen computer output	Edit your `.login` file. Use `ls -a` to list all files. `machine_name% you have mail.`
`AaBbCc123`	What you type, contrasted with onscreen computer output	`machine_name%` `su` `Password:`
`aabbcc123`	Placeholder: replace with a real name or value	The command to remove a file is `rm` `filename`.
AaBbCc123	Book titles, new terms, and terms to be emphasized	Read Chapter 6 in the User's Guide. A cache is a copy that is stored locally. Do not save the file. Note: Some emphasized items appear bold online.

Shell Prompts in Command Examples

The following table shows the default UNIX® system prompt and superuser prompt for the C shell, Bourne shell, and Korn shell.

Table P–2 Shell Prompts


Shell	Prompt
C shell	`machine_name%`
C shell for superuser	`machine_name#`
Bourne shell and Korn shell	`$`
Bourne shell and Korn shell for superuser	`#`