Name: me32167 Date: 11/02/99


 The Java Cryptography Extension (JCE) 1.2 is an officially released Standard
 Extension to the Java 2 Platform. JCE 1.2 provides a framework and
 implementation for encryption, key generation and key agreement, and Message
 Authentication Code (MAC) algorithms. JCE 1.2 supplements the Java 2 platform,
 which already includes interfaces and implementations of message digests and
 digital signatures.
 
 But JCE 1.2 cannot be exported outside the U.S. or Canada. This has limited
 its usability and deployment. JCE Fontanel (the next release of JCE) has made
 JCE exportable since its added JCE framework and provider mutual authentication
 and a mechanism to control available cryptographic strength via jurisdiction
 policy files. This is very important to keep and attract JCE users, and ensure
 ubiquity. This also makes it possible to add JCE into the core Java SDK.

 Compared to more mature cryptography frameworks (such as CDSA), JCE 1.2 lacks
 key wrapping and some key management functionality such as key usage control.
 Without key wrapping, exporting and importing keys is difficult. JCE Fontanel
 supports key wrapping and key usage control.
        
 The APIs in JCE would have be in the core SDK except for the export issue.
 The JCE should be added to the core SDK now that the export issue has been
 resolved.

 JCE Fontanel will be delivered as an Optional Package before the Merlin
 release.
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sharon.liu@eng 2000-03-22