MACH SYSTEMS introduces MKA Stack and MKA Tester, a new software solution for MACsec Key Agreement in automotive Ethernet systems.
The solution combines a C-language MKA runtime with host-side applications for device bring-up, runtime control, and peer behaviour validation. The implementation is based on IEEE 802.1X and the OPEN Alliance TC17 MACsec Automotive Profile.
The release is split into two product areas: MKA Stack for protocol integration, and MKA Tester for host-side operation, diagnostics, and validation.
MKA Stack is the core protocol component of the solution. It implements MKA protocol handling and connects to MACsec-capable PHY or system drivers through hardware abstraction and backend interfaces. It can be used to establish secure channels between devices. Learn more on the MKA Stack product page.
MKA Tester is the validation component of the solution. It monitors operating status, supports GUI-based bring-up and runtime observation, executes supported test scenarios, and helps verify peer device behaviour during MKA negotiation and related control operations. It can be used to test and validate the MKA functionality of third-party automotive Ethernet devices. Learn more on the MKA Tester product page.
Together, MKA Stack and MKA Tester support three practical usage modes.
For the MACH SYSTEMS 100/1000BASE-T1 Media Converter v2 (both H-MTD and MATEnet variants), the software can be used with the ready device control path. This gives developers a ready starting point for MACsec/MKA bring-up without first adapting a device-specific control layer.
For custom or foreign devices, the software provides a layered architecture around the shared C runtime. Customers can reuse the MKA logic while adapting platform-specific drivers, transports, and control interfaces either through the native integration path or directly in Python.
For validation work, the included tester application helps engineering teams observe runtime status, execute supported test scenarios, and verify peer behaviour during MACsec/MKA negotiation and related control operations. This supports bring-up, debugging, interoperability work, and development validation.
The release also includes a public C runtime API, a Python wrapper for runtime control and observer events, native and Python-based backend paths, USB and CAN-based control support, a GUI for MKA/MACsec bring-up and runtime monitoring, and observer-based diagnostics for structured status and event reporting.
MKA Stack is suitable for Linux, Windows, and STM32-based environments, supporting both host-side operation and embedded integration. MKA Tester is intended for Linux and Windows host-side operation. The native C implementation is developed with MISRA C:2012-conscious coding practices.
Typical application areas include secure Ethernet bring-up, MACsec/MKA integration support, peer behaviour validation, debugging, and interoperability testing in automotive Ethernet development.
More information is available on the MKA Stack and MKA Tester product pages.
