- Qt 6.8
- Qt Network
- C++ Classes
- QDtls
- Qt 6.8.0 Reference Documentation

# QDtls Class

This class provides encryption for UDP sockets. More...

Header: | #include <QDtls>
CMake: | find_package(Qt6 REQUIRED COMPONENTS Network) target_link_libraries(mytarget PRIVATE Qt6::Network)
qmake: | QT += network
Inherits: | QObject

- List of all members, including inherited members
- QDtls is part of Network Programming API.

## Public Types

| GeneratorParameters
enum | HandshakeState { HandshakeNotStarted, HandshakeInProgress, PeerVerificationFailed, HandshakeComplete }

## Public Functions

| QDtls(QSslSocket::SslMode mode, QObject *parent = nullptr)
virtual | ~QDtls()
bool | abortHandshake(QUdpSocket *socket)
QDtls::GeneratorParameters | cookieGeneratorParameters() const
QByteArray | decryptDatagram(QUdpSocket *socket, const QByteArray &dgram)
bool | doHandshake(QUdpSocket *socket, const QByteArray &dgram = {})
QSslConfiguration | dtlsConfiguration() const
QDtlsError | dtlsError() const
QString | dtlsErrorString() const
bool | handleTimeout(QUdpSocket *socket)
QDtls::HandshakeState | handshakeState() const
void | ignoreVerificationErrors(const QList<QSslError> &errorsToIgnore)
bool | isConnectionEncrypted() const
quint16 | mtuHint() const
QHostAddress | peerAddress() const
quint16 | peerPort() const
QList<QSslError> | peerVerificationErrors() const
QString | peerVerificationName() const
bool | resumeHandshake(QUdpSocket *socket)
QSslCipher | sessionCipher() const
QSsl::SslProtocol | sessionProtocol() const
bool | setCookieGeneratorParameters(const QDtls::GeneratorParameters &params)
bool | setDtlsConfiguration(const QSslConfiguration &configuration)
void | setMtuHint(quint16 mtuHint)
bool | setPeer(const QHostAddress &address, quint16 port, const QString &verificationName = {})
bool | setPeerVerificationName(const QString &name)
bool | shutdown(QUdpSocket *socket)
QSslSocket::SslMode | sslMode() const
qint64 | writeDatagramEncrypted(QUdpSocket *socket, const QByteArray &dgram)

## Signals

void | handshakeTimeout()
void | pskRequired(QSslPreSharedKeyAuthenticator *authenticator)

## Related Non-Members

enum class | QDtlsError { NoError, InvalidInputParameters, InvalidOperation, UnderlyingSocketError, RemoteClosedConnectionError, …, TlsNonFatalError }

## Detailed Description

The QDtls class can be used to establish a secure connection with a network peer using User Datagram Protocol (UDP). DTLS connection over essentially connectionless UDP means that two peers first have to successfully complete a TLS handshake by calling doHandshake(). After the handshake has completed, encrypted datagrams can be sent to the peer using writeDatagramEncrypted(). Encrypted datagrams coming from the peer can be decrypted by decryptDatagram().

QDtls is designed to work with QUdpSocket. Since QUdpSocket can receive datagrams coming from different peers, an application must implement demultiplexing, forwarding datagrams coming from different peers to their corresponding instances of QDtls. An association between a network peer and its QDtls object can be established using the peer's address and port number. Before starting a handshake, the application must set the peer's address and port number using setPeer().

QDtls does not read datagrams from QUdpSocket, this is expected to be done by the application, for example, in a slot attached to the QUdpSocket::readyRead() signal. Then, these datagrams must be processed by QDtls.

Note: QDtls does not take ownership of the QUdpSocket object.

Normally, several datagrams are to be received and sent by both peers during the handshake phase. Upon reading datagrams, server and client must pass these datagrams to doHandshake() until some error is found or handshakeState() returns HandshakeComplete:

     // A client initiates a handshake:
     QUdpSocket clientSocket;
     QDtls clientDtls;
     clientDtls.setPeer(address, port, peerName);
     clientDtls.doHandshake(&clientSocket);

     // A server accepting an incoming connection; address, port, clientHello are
     // read by QUdpSocket::readDatagram():
     QByteArray clientHello(serverSocket.pendingDatagramSize(), Qt::Uninitialized);
     QHostAddress address;
     quin16 port = {};
     serverSocket.readDatagram(clientHello.data(), clientHello.size(), &address, &port);

     QDtls serverDtls;
     serverDtls.setPeer(address, port);
     serverDtls.doHandshake(&serverSocket, clientHello);

     // Handshake completion, both for server and client:
     void DtlsConnection::continueHandshake(const QByteArray &datagram)
     {
         if (dtls.doHandshake(&udpSocket, datagram)) {
             // Check handshake status:
             if (dtls.handshakeStatus() == QDlts::HandshakeComplete) {
                 // Secure DTLS connection is now established.
             }
         } else {
             // Error handling.
         }
     }

For a server, the first call to doHandshake() requires a non-empty datagram containing a ClientHello message. If the server also deploys QDtlsClientVerifier, the first ClientHello message is expected to be the one verified by QDtlsClientVerifier.

In case the peer's identity cannot be validated during the handshake, the application must inspect errors returned by peerVerificationErrors() and then either ignore errors by calling ignoreVerificationErrors() or abort the handshake by calling abortHandshake(). If errors were ignored, the handshake can be resumed by calling resumeHandshake().

After the handshake has been completed, datagrams can be sent to and received from the network peer securely:

     // Sending an encrypted datagram:
     dtlsConnection.writeDatagramEncrypted(&clientSocket, "Hello DTLS server!");

     // Decryption:
     QByteArray encryptedMessage(dgramSize);
     socket.readDatagram(encryptedMessage.data(), dgramSize);
     const QByteArray plainText = dtlsConnection.decryptDatagram(&socket, encryptedMessage);

A DTLS connection may be closed using shutdown().

     DtlsClient::~DtlsClient()
     {
         clientDtls.shutdown(&clientSocket);
     }

Warning: It's recommended to call shutdown() before destroying the client's QDtls object if you are planning to re-use the same port number to connect to the server later. Otherwise, the server may drop incoming ClientHello messages, see RFC 6347, section 4.2.8 for more details and implementation hints.

If the server does not use QDtlsClientVerifier, it must configure its QDtls objects to disable the cookie verification procedure:

     auto config = QSslConfiguration::defaultDtlsConfiguration();
     config.setDtlsCookieVerificationEnabled(false);
     // Some other customization ...
     dtlsConnection.setDtlsConfiguration(config);

A server that uses cookie verification with non-default generator parameters must set the same parameters for its QDtls object before starting the handshake.

Note: The DTLS protocol leaves Path Maximum Transmission Unit (PMTU) discovery to the application. The application may provide QDtls with the MTU using setMtuHint(). This hint affects only the handshake phase, since only handshake messages can be fragmented and reassembled by the DTLS. All other messages sent by the application must fit into a single datagram.

Note: DTLS-specific headers add some overhead to application data further reducing the possible message size.

Warning: A server configured to reply with HelloVerifyRequest will drop all fragmented ClientHello messages, never starting a handshake.

The DTLS server and DTLS client examples illustrate how to use QDtls in applications.

See also QUdpSocket, QDtlsClientVerifier, HandshakeState, QDtlsError, and QSslConfiguration.

## Member Type Documentation

### `[alias]` QDtls::GeneratorParameters

### enum QDtls::HandshakeState

Describes the current state of DTLS handshake.

This enum describes the current state of DTLS handshake for a QDtls connection.

Constant | Value | Description
--- | --- | ---
`QDtls::HandshakeNotStarted` | `0` | Nothing done yet.
`QDtls::HandshakeInProgress` | `1` | Handshake was initiated and no errors were found so far.
`QDtls::PeerVerificationFailed` | `2` | The identity of the peer can't be established.
`QDtls::HandshakeComplete` | `3` | Handshake completed successfully and encrypted connection was established.

See also QDtls::doHandshake() and QDtls::handshakeState().

## Member Function Documentation

### `[explicit]` QDtls::QDtls(QSslSocket::SslMode mode, QObject *parent = nullptr)

Creates a QDtls object, parent is passed to the QObject constructor. mode is QSslSocket::SslServerMode for a server-side DTLS connection or QSslSocket::SslClientMode for a client.

See also sslMode() and QSslSocket::SslMode.

### `[virtual noexcept]` QDtls::~QDtls()

Destroys the QDtls object.

### bool QDtls::abortHandshake(QUdpSocket *socket)

Aborts the ongoing handshake. Returns true if one was on-going on socket; otherwise, sets a suitable error and returns false.

See also doHandshake() and resumeHandshake().

### QDtls::GeneratorParameters QDtls::cookieGeneratorParameters() const

Returns the current hash algorithm and secret, either default ones or previously set by a call to setCookieGeneratorParameters().

The default hash algorithm is QCryptographicHash::Sha256 if Qt was configured to support it, QCryptographicHash::Sha1 otherwise. The default secret is obtained from the backend-specific cryptographically strong pseudorandom number generator.

See also setCookieGeneratorParameters(), QDtlsClientVerifier, and cookieGeneratorParameters().

### QByteArray QDtls::decryptDatagram(QUdpSocket *socket, const QByteArray &dgram)

Decrypts dgram and returns its contents as plain text. The handshake must be completed before datagrams can be decrypted. Depending on the type of the TLS message the connection may write into socket, which must be a valid pointer.

### bool QDtls::doHandshake(QUdpSocket *socket, const QByteArray &dgram = {})

Starts or continues a DTLS handshake. socket must be a valid pointer. When starting a server-side DTLS handshake, dgram must contain the initial ClientHello message read from QUdpSocket. This function returns `true` if no error was found. Handshake state can be tested using handshakeState(). `false` return means some error occurred, use dtlsError() for more detailed information.

Note: If the identity of the peer can't be established, the error is set to QDtlsError::PeerVerificationError. If you want to ignore verification errors and continue connecting, you must call ignoreVerificationErrors() and then resumeHandshake(). If the errors cannot be ignored, you must call abortHandshake().

     if (!dtls.doHandshake(&socket, dgram)) {
         if (dtls.dtlsError() == QDtlsError::PeerVerificationError)
             dtls.abortAfterError(&socket);
     }

See also handshakeState(), dtlsError(), ignoreVerificationErrors(), resumeHandshake(), and abortHandshake().

### QSslConfiguration QDtls::dtlsConfiguration() const

Returns either the default DTLS configuration or the configuration set by an earlier call to setDtlsConfiguration().

See also setDtlsConfiguration() and QSslConfiguration::defaultDtlsConfiguration().

### QDtlsError QDtls::dtlsError() const

Returns the last error encountered by the connection or QDtlsError::NoError.

See also dtlsErrorString() and QDtlsError.

### QString QDtls::dtlsErrorString() const

Returns a textual description for the last error encountered by the connection or empty string.

See also dtlsError().

### bool QDtls::handleTimeout(QUdpSocket *socket)

If a timeout occurs during the handshake, the handshakeTimeout() signal is emitted. The application must call handleTimeout() to retransmit handshake messages; handleTimeout() returns `true` if a timeout has occurred, false otherwise. socket must be a valid pointer.

See also handshakeTimeout().

### QDtls::HandshakeState QDtls::handshakeState() const

Returns the current handshake state for this QDtls.

See also doHandshake() and QDtls::HandshakeState.

### `[signal]` void QDtls::handshakeTimeout()

Packet loss can result in timeouts during the handshake phase. In this case QDtls emits a handshakeTimeout() signal. Call handleTimeout() to retransmit the handshake messages:

     DtlsClient::DtlsClient()
     {
         // Some initialization code here ...
         connect(&clientDtls, &QDtls::handshakeTimeout, this, &DtlsClient::handleTimeout);
     }

     void DtlsClient::handleTimeout()
     {
         clientDtls.handleTimeout(&clientSocket);
     }

See also handleTimeout().

### void QDtls::ignoreVerificationErrors(const QList<QSslError> &errorsToIgnore)

This method tells QDtls to ignore only the errors given in errorsToIgnore.

If, for instance, you want to connect to a server that uses a self-signed certificate, consider the following snippet:

     QList<QSslCertificate> cert = QSslCertificate::fromPath("server-certificate.pem"_L1);
     QSslError error(QSslError::SelfSignedCertificate, cert.at(0));
     QList<QSslError> expectedSslErrors;
     expectedSslErrors.append(error);

     QDtls dtls;
     dtls.ignoreVerificationErrors(expectedSslErrors);
     dtls.doHandshake(udpSocket);

You can also call this function after doHandshake() encountered the QDtlsError::PeerVerificationError error, and then resume the handshake by calling resumeHandshake().

Later calls to this function will replace the list of errors that were passed in previous calls. You can clear the list of errors you want to ignore by calling this function with an empty list.

See also doHandshake(), resumeHandshake(), and QSslError.

### bool QDtls::isConnectionEncrypted() const

Returns `true` if DTLS handshake completed successfully.

See also doHandshake() and handshakeState().

### quint16 QDtls::mtuHint() const

Returns the value previously set by setMtuHint(). The default value is 0.

See also setMtuHint().

### QHostAddress QDtls::peerAddress() const

Returns the peer's address, set by setPeer(), or QHostAddress::Null.

See also setPeer().

### quint16 QDtls::peerPort() const

Returns the peer's port number, set by setPeer(), or 0.

See also setPeer().

### QList<QSslError> QDtls::peerVerificationErrors() const

Returns errors found while establishing the identity of the peer.

If you want to continue connecting despite the errors that have occurred, you must call ignoreVerificationErrors().

### QString QDtls::peerVerificationName() const

Returns the host name set by setPeer() or setPeerVerificationName(). The default value is an empty string.

See also setPeerVerificationName() and setPeer().

### `[signal]` void QDtls::pskRequired(QSslPreSharedKeyAuthenticator *authenticator)

QDtls emits this signal when it negotiates a PSK ciphersuite, and therefore a PSK authentication is then required.

When using PSK, the client must send to the server a valid identity and a valid pre shared key, in order for the TLS handshake to continue. Applications can provide this information in a slot connected to this signal, by filling in the passed authenticator object according to their needs.

Note: Ignoring this signal, or failing to provide the required credentials, will cause the handshake to fail, and therefore the connection to be aborted.

Note: The authenticator object is owned by QDtls and must not be deleted by the application.

See also QSslPreSharedKeyAuthenticator.

### bool QDtls::resumeHandshake(QUdpSocket *socket)

If peer verification errors were ignored during the handshake, resumeHandshake() resumes and completes the handshake and returns `true`. socket must be a valid pointer. Returns `false` if the handshake could not be resumed.

See also doHandshake(), abortHandshake(), peerVerificationErrors(), and ignoreVerificationErrors().

### QSslCipher QDtls::sessionCipher() const

Returns the cryptographic cipher used by this connection, or a null cipher if the connection isn't encrypted. The cipher for the session is selected during the handshake phase. The cipher is used to encrypt and decrypt data.

QSslConfiguration provides functions for setting the ordered list of ciphers from which the handshake phase will eventually select the session cipher. This ordered list must be in place before the handshake phase begins.

See also QSslConfiguration, setDtlsConfiguration(), and dtlsConfiguration().

### QSsl::SslProtocol QDtls::sessionProtocol() const

Returns the DTLS protocol version used by this connection, or UnknownProtocol if the connection isn't encrypted yet. The protocol for the connection is selected during the handshake phase.

setDtlsConfiguration() can set the preferred version before the handshake starts.

See also setDtlsConfiguration(), QSslConfiguration, QSslConfiguration::defaultDtlsConfiguration(), and QSslConfiguration::setProtocol().

### bool QDtls::setCookieGeneratorParameters(const QDtls::GeneratorParameters &params)

Sets the cryptographic hash algorithm and the secret from params. This function is only needed for a server-side QDtls connection. Returns `true` if successful.

Note: This function must be called before the handshake starts.

See also cookieGeneratorParameters(), doHandshake(), QDtlsClientVerifier, and QDtlsClientVerifier::cookieGeneratorParameters().

### bool QDtls::setDtlsConfiguration(const QSslConfiguration &configuration)

Sets the connection's TLS configuration from configuration and returns `true` if successful.

Note: This function must be called before the handshake starts.

See also dtlsConfiguration() and doHandshake().

### void QDtls::setMtuHint(quint16 mtuHint)

mtuHint is the maximum transmission unit (MTU), either discovered or guessed by the application. The application is not required to set this value.

See also mtuHint() and QAbstractSocket::PathMtuSocketOption.

### bool QDtls::setPeer(const QHostAddress &address, quint16 port, const QString &verificationName = {})

Sets the peer's address, port, and host name and returns `true` if successful. address must not be null, multicast, or broadcast. verificationName is the host name used for the certificate validation.

See also peerAddress(), peerPort(), and peerVerificationName().

### bool QDtls::setPeerVerificationName(const QString &name)

Sets the host name that will be used for the certificate validation and returns `true` if successful.

Note: This function must be called before the handshake starts.

See also peerVerificationName() and setPeer().

### bool QDtls::shutdown(QUdpSocket *socket)

Sends an encrypted shutdown alert message and closes the DTLS connection. Handshake state changes to QDtls::HandshakeNotStarted. socket must be a valid pointer. This function returns `true` on success.

See also doHandshake().

### QSslSocket::SslMode QDtls::sslMode() const

Returns QSslSocket::SslServerMode for a server-side connection and QSslSocket::SslClientMode for a client.

See also QDtls() and QSslSocket::SslMode.

### qint64 QDtls::writeDatagramEncrypted(QUdpSocket *socket, const QByteArray &dgram)

Encrypts dgram and writes the encrypted data into socket. Returns the number of bytes written, or -1 in case of error. The handshake must be completed before writing encrypted data. socket must be a valid pointer.

See also doHandshake(), handshakeState(), isConnectionEncrypted(), and dtlsError().

## Related Non-Members

### enum class QDtlsError

Describes errors that can be found by QDtls and QDtlsClientVerifier.

This enum describes general and TLS-specific errors that can be encountered by objects of the classes QDtlsClientVerifier and QDtls.

Constant | Value | Description
--- | --- | ---
`QDtls::QDtlsError::NoError` | `0` | No error occurred, the last operation was successful.
`QDtls::QDtlsError::InvalidInputParameters` | `1` | Input parameters provided by a caller were invalid.
`QDtls::QDtlsError::InvalidOperation` | `2` | An operation was attempted in a state that did not permit it.
`QDtls::QDtlsError::UnderlyingSocketError` | `3` | QUdpSocket::writeDatagram() failed, QUdpSocket::error() and QUdpSocket::errorString() can provide more specific information.
`QDtls::QDtlsError::RemoteClosedConnectionError` | `4` | TLS shutdown alert message was received.
`QDtls::QDtlsError::PeerVerificationError` | `5` | Peer's identity could not be verified during the TLS handshake.
`QDtls::QDtlsError::TlsInitializationError` | `6` | An error occurred while initializing an underlying TLS backend.
`QDtls::QDtlsError::TlsFatalError` | `7` | A fatal error occurred during TLS handshake, other than peer verification error or TLS initialization error.
`QDtls::QDtlsError::TlsNonFatalError` | `8` | A failure to encrypt or decrypt a datagram, non-fatal, meaning QDtls can continue working after this error.