Remove ARP address workaround

- Make AddressableEndpoint optional for NetworkEndpoint.
Not all NetworkEndpoints need to support addressing (e.g. ARP), so
AddressableEndpoint should only be implemented for protocols that
support addressing such as IPv4 and IPv6.

With this change, tcpip.ErrNotSupported will be returned by the stack
when attempting to modify addresses on a network endpoint that does
not support addressing.

Now that packets are fully handled at the network layer, and (with this
change) addresses are optional for network endpoints, we no longer need
the workaround for ARP where a fake ARP address was added to each NIC
that performs ARP so that packets would be delivered to the ARP layer.

PiperOrigin-RevId: 342722547

12 files changed, 120 insertions, 110 deletions

diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/link/tun/device.go b/pkg/tcpip/link/tun/device.go
index 4c14f55d3..9a76bdba7 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/link/tun/device.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/link/tun/device.go
@@ -76,29 +76,13 @@ func (d *Device) Release(ctx context.Context) {
 	}
 }
 
-// NICID returns the NIC ID of the device.
-//
-// Must only be called after the device has been attached to an endpoint.
-func (d *Device) NICID() tcpip.NICID {
-	d.mu.RLock()
-	defer d.mu.RUnlock()
-
-	if d.endpoint == nil {
-		panic("called NICID on a device that has not been attached")
-	}
-
-	return d.endpoint.nicID
-}
-
 // SetIff services TUNSETIFF ioctl(2) request.
-//
-// Returns true if a new NIC was created; false if an existing one was attached.
-func (d *Device) SetIff(s *stack.Stack, name string, flags uint16) (bool, error) {
+func (d *Device) SetIff(s *stack.Stack, name string, flags uint16) error {
 	d.mu.Lock()
 	defer d.mu.Unlock()
 
 	if d.endpoint != nil {
-		return false, syserror.EINVAL
+		return syserror.EINVAL
 	}
 
 	// Input validations.
@@ -106,7 +90,7 @@ func (d *Device) SetIff(s *stack.Stack, name string, flags uint16) (bool, error)
 	isTap := flags&linux.IFF_TAP != 0
 	supportedFlags := uint16(linux.IFF_TUN | linux.IFF_TAP | linux.IFF_NO_PI)
 	if isTap && isTun || !isTap && !isTun || flags&^supportedFlags != 0 {
-		return false, syserror.EINVAL
+		return syserror.EINVAL
 	}
 
 	prefix := "tun"
@@ -119,18 +103,18 @@ func (d *Device) SetIff(s *stack.Stack, name string, flags uint16) (bool, error)
 		linkCaps |= stack.CapabilityResolutionRequired
 	}
 
-	endpoint, created, err := attachOrCreateNIC(s, name, prefix, linkCaps)
+	endpoint, err := attachOrCreateNIC(s, name, prefix, linkCaps)
 	if err != nil {
-		return false, syserror.EINVAL
+		return syserror.EINVAL
 	}
 
 	d.endpoint = endpoint
 	d.notifyHandle = d.endpoint.AddNotify(d)
 	d.flags = flags
-	return created, nil
+	return nil
 }
 
-func attachOrCreateNIC(s *stack.Stack, name, prefix string, linkCaps stack.LinkEndpointCapabilities) (*tunEndpoint, bool, error) {
+func attachOrCreateNIC(s *stack.Stack, name, prefix string, linkCaps stack.LinkEndpointCapabilities) (*tunEndpoint, error) {
 	for {
 		// 1. Try to attach to an existing NIC.
 		if name != "" {
@@ -138,13 +122,13 @@ func attachOrCreateNIC(s *stack.Stack, name, prefix string, linkCaps stack.LinkE
 				endpoint, ok := linkEP.(*tunEndpoint)
 				if !ok {
 					// Not a NIC created by tun device.
-					return nil, false, syserror.EOPNOTSUPP
+					return nil, syserror.EOPNOTSUPP
 				}
 				if !endpoint.TryIncRef() {
 					// Race detected: NIC got deleted in between.
 					continue
 				}
-				return endpoint, false, nil
+				return endpoint, nil
 			}
 		}
 
@@ -167,12 +151,12 @@ func attachOrCreateNIC(s *stack.Stack, name, prefix string, linkCaps stack.LinkE
 		})
 		switch err {
 		case nil:
-			return endpoint, true, nil
+			return endpoint, nil
 		case tcpip.ErrDuplicateNICID:
 			// Race detected: A NIC has been created in between.
 			continue
 		default:
-			return nil, false, syserror.EINVAL
+			return nil, syserror.EINVAL
 		}
 	}
 }
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/network/arp/arp.go b/pkg/tcpip/network/arp/arp.go
index 33a4a0720..3d5c0d270 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/network/arp/arp.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/network/arp/arp.go
@@ -31,17 +31,15 @@ import (
 const (
 	// ProtocolNumber is the ARP protocol number.
 	ProtocolNumber = header.ARPProtocolNumber
-
-	// ProtocolAddress is the address expected by the ARP endpoint.
-	ProtocolAddress = tcpip.Address("arp")
 )
 
-var _ stack.AddressableEndpoint = (*endpoint)(nil)
+// ARP endpoints need to implement stack.NetworkEndpoint because the stack
+// considers the layer above the link-layer a network layer; the only
+// facility provided by the stack to deliver packets to a layer above
+// the link-layer is via stack.NetworkEndpoint.HandlePacket.
 var _ stack.NetworkEndpoint = (*endpoint)(nil)
 
 type endpoint struct {
-	stack.AddressableEndpointState
-
 	protocol *protocol
 
 	// enabled is set to 1 when the NIC is enabled and 0 when it is disabled.
@@ -87,7 +85,7 @@ func (e *endpoint) Disable() {
 }
 
 // DefaultTTL is unused for ARP. It implements stack.NetworkEndpoint.
-func (e *endpoint) DefaultTTL() uint8 {
+func (*endpoint) DefaultTTL() uint8 {
 	return 0
 }
 
@@ -100,25 +98,23 @@ func (e *endpoint) MaxHeaderLength() uint16 {
 	return e.nic.MaxHeaderLength() + header.ARPSize
 }
 
-func (e *endpoint) Close() {
-	e.AddressableEndpointState.Cleanup()
-}
+func (*endpoint) Close() {}
 
-func (e *endpoint) WritePacket(*stack.Route, *stack.GSO, stack.NetworkHeaderParams, *stack.PacketBuffer) *tcpip.Error {
+func (*endpoint) WritePacket(*stack.Route, *stack.GSO, stack.NetworkHeaderParams, *stack.PacketBuffer) *tcpip.Error {
 	return tcpip.ErrNotSupported
 }
 
 // NetworkProtocolNumber implements stack.NetworkEndpoint.NetworkProtocolNumber.
-func (e *endpoint) NetworkProtocolNumber() tcpip.NetworkProtocolNumber {
+func (*endpoint) NetworkProtocolNumber() tcpip.NetworkProtocolNumber {
 	return ProtocolNumber
 }
 
 // WritePackets implements stack.NetworkEndpoint.WritePackets.
-func (e *endpoint) WritePackets(*stack.Route, *stack.GSO, stack.PacketBufferList, stack.NetworkHeaderParams) (int, *tcpip.Error) {
+func (*endpoint) WritePackets(*stack.Route, *stack.GSO, stack.PacketBufferList, stack.NetworkHeaderParams) (int, *tcpip.Error) {
 	return 0, tcpip.ErrNotSupported
 }
 
-func (e *endpoint) WriteHeaderIncludedPacket(r *stack.Route, pkt *stack.PacketBuffer) *tcpip.Error {
+func (*endpoint) WriteHeaderIncludedPacket(*stack.Route, *stack.PacketBuffer) *tcpip.Error {
 	return tcpip.ErrNotSupported
 }
 
@@ -216,9 +212,8 @@ func (p *protocol) Number() tcpip.NetworkProtocolNumber { return ProtocolNumber
 func (p *protocol) MinimumPacketSize() int              { return header.ARPSize }
 func (p *protocol) DefaultPrefixLen() int               { return 0 }
 
-func (*protocol) ParseAddresses(v buffer.View) (src, dst tcpip.Address) {
-	h := header.ARP(v)
-	return tcpip.Address(h.ProtocolAddressSender()), ProtocolAddress
+func (*protocol) ParseAddresses(buffer.View) (src, dst tcpip.Address) {
+	return "", ""
 }
 
 func (p *protocol) NewEndpoint(nic stack.NetworkInterface, linkAddrCache stack.LinkAddressCache, nud stack.NUDHandler, dispatcher stack.TransportDispatcher) stack.NetworkEndpoint {
@@ -228,7 +223,6 @@ func (p *protocol) NewEndpoint(nic stack.NetworkInterface, linkAddrCache stack.L
 		linkAddrCache: linkAddrCache,
 		nud:           nud,
 	}
-	e.AddressableEndpointState.Init(e)
 	return e
 }
 
@@ -311,10 +305,6 @@ func (*protocol) Parse(pkt *stack.PacketBuffer) (proto tcpip.TransportProtocolNu
 }
 
 // NewProtocol returns an ARP network protocol.
-//
-// Note, to make sure that the ARP endpoint receives ARP packets, the "arp"
-// address must be added to every NIC that should respond to ARP requests. See
-// ProtocolAddress for more details.
 func NewProtocol(s *stack.Stack) stack.NetworkProtocol {
 	return &protocol{stack: s}
 }
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/network/arp/arp_test.go b/pkg/tcpip/network/arp/arp_test.go
index 91d59d83f..f462524c9 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/network/arp/arp_test.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/network/arp/arp_test.go
@@ -200,9 +200,6 @@ func newTestContext(t *testing.T, useNeighborCache bool) *testContext {
 			t.Fatalf("AddAddress for ipv4 failed: %v", err)
 		}
 	}
-	if err := s.AddAddress(nicID, arp.ProtocolNumber, arp.ProtocolAddress); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("AddAddress for arp failed: %v", err)
-	}
 
 	s.SetRouteTable([]tcpip.Route{{
 		Destination: header.IPv4EmptySubnet,
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/network/ip_test.go b/pkg/tcpip/network/ip_test.go
index 12c16fde4..d49c44846 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/network/ip_test.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/network/ip_test.go
@@ -670,8 +670,12 @@ func TestReceive(t *testing.T) {
 				t.Fatalf("ep.Enable(): %s", err)
 			}
 
-			if ep, err := ep.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(test.epAddr, stack.CanBePrimaryEndpoint, stack.AddressConfigStatic, false /* deprecated */); err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("ep.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(%s, CanBePrimaryEndpoint, AddressConfigStatic, false): %s", test.epAddr, err)
+			addressableEndpoint, ok := ep.(stack.AddressableEndpoint)
+			if !ok {
+				t.Fatalf("expected network endpoint with number = %d to implement stack.AddressableEndpoint", test.protoNum)
+			}
+			if ep, err := addressableEndpoint.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(test.epAddr, stack.CanBePrimaryEndpoint, stack.AddressConfigStatic, false /* deprecated */); err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("addressableEndpoint.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(%s, CanBePrimaryEndpoint, AddressConfigStatic, false): %s", test.epAddr, err)
 			} else {
 				ep.DecRef()
 			}
@@ -778,9 +782,13 @@ func TestIPv4ReceiveControl(t *testing.T) {
 			nic.testObject.typ = c.expectedTyp
 			nic.testObject.extra = c.expectedExtra
 
+			addressableEndpoint, ok := ep.(stack.AddressableEndpoint)
+			if !ok {
+				t.Fatal("expected IPv4 network endpoint to implement stack.AddressableEndpoint")
+			}
 			addr := localIPv4Addr.WithPrefix()
-			if ep, err := ep.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(addr, stack.CanBePrimaryEndpoint, stack.AddressConfigStatic, false /* deprecated */); err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("ep.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(%s, CanBePrimaryEndpoint, AddressConfigStatic, false): %s", addr, err)
+			if ep, err := addressableEndpoint.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(addr, stack.CanBePrimaryEndpoint, stack.AddressConfigStatic, false /* deprecated */); err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("addressableEndpoint.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(%s, CanBePrimaryEndpoint, AddressConfigStatic, false): %s", addr, err)
 			} else {
 				ep.DecRef()
 			}
@@ -863,9 +871,13 @@ func TestIPv4FragmentationReceive(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("failed to parse packet: %x", pkt.Data.ToView())
 	}
 
+	addressableEndpoint, ok := ep.(stack.AddressableEndpoint)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatal("expected IPv4 network endpoint to implement stack.AddressableEndpoint")
+	}
 	addr := localIPv4Addr.WithPrefix()
-	if ep, err := ep.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(addr, stack.CanBePrimaryEndpoint, stack.AddressConfigStatic, false /* deprecated */); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("ep.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(%s, CanBePrimaryEndpoint, AddressConfigStatic, false): %s", addr, err)
+	if ep, err := addressableEndpoint.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(addr, stack.CanBePrimaryEndpoint, stack.AddressConfigStatic, false /* deprecated */); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("addressableEndpoint.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(%s, CanBePrimaryEndpoint, AddressConfigStatic, false): %s", addr, err)
 	} else {
 		ep.DecRef()
 	}
@@ -1038,9 +1050,13 @@ func TestIPv6ReceiveControl(t *testing.T) {
 			// Set ICMPv6 checksum.
 			icmp.SetChecksum(header.ICMPv6Checksum(icmp, outerSrcAddr, localIPv6Addr, buffer.VectorisedView{}))
 
+			addressableEndpoint, ok := ep.(stack.AddressableEndpoint)
+			if !ok {
+				t.Fatal("expected IPv6 network endpoint to implement stack.AddressableEndpoint")
+			}
 			addr := localIPv6Addr.WithPrefix()
-			if ep, err := ep.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(addr, stack.CanBePrimaryEndpoint, stack.AddressConfigStatic, false /* deprecated */); err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("ep.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(%s, CanBePrimaryEndpoint, AddressConfigStatic, false): %s", addr, err)
+			if ep, err := addressableEndpoint.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(addr, stack.CanBePrimaryEndpoint, stack.AddressConfigStatic, false /* deprecated */); err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("addressableEndpoint.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(%s, CanBePrimaryEndpoint, AddressConfigStatic, false): %s", addr, err)
 			} else {
 				ep.DecRef()
 			}
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv4/ipv4_test.go b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv4/ipv4_test.go
index 8b0d2d794..4e4e1f3b4 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv4/ipv4_test.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv4/ipv4_test.go
@@ -2712,9 +2712,6 @@ func TestPacketQueing(t *testing.T) {
 			if err := s.CreateNIC(nicID, e); err != nil {
 				t.Fatalf("s.CreateNIC(%d, _): %s", nicID, err)
 			}
-			if err := s.AddAddress(nicID, arp.ProtocolNumber, arp.ProtocolAddress); err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("s.AddAddress(%d, %d, %s): %s", nicID, arp.ProtocolNumber, arp.ProtocolAddress, err)
-			}
 			if err := s.AddProtocolAddress(nicID, host1IPv4Addr); err != nil {
 				t.Fatalf("s.AddProtocolAddress(%d, %#v): %s", nicID, host1IPv4Addr, err)
 			}
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/icmp_test.go b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/icmp_test.go
index 001b9d66a..9bc02d851 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/icmp_test.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/icmp_test.go
@@ -205,9 +205,13 @@ func TestICMPCounts(t *testing.T) {
 				t.Fatalf("ep.Enable(): %s", err)
 			}
 
+			addressableEndpoint, ok := ep.(stack.AddressableEndpoint)
+			if !ok {
+				t.Fatalf("expected network endpoint to implement stack.AddressableEndpoint")
+			}
 			addr := lladdr0.WithPrefix()
-			if ep, err := ep.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(addr, stack.CanBePrimaryEndpoint, stack.AddressConfigStatic, false /* deprecated */); err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("ep.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(%s, CanBePrimaryEndpoint, AddressConfigStatic, false): %s", addr, err)
+			if ep, err := addressableEndpoint.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(addr, stack.CanBePrimaryEndpoint, stack.AddressConfigStatic, false /* deprecated */); err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("addressableEndpoint.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(%s, CanBePrimaryEndpoint, AddressConfigStatic, false): %s", addr, err)
 			} else {
 				ep.DecRef()
 			}
@@ -343,9 +347,13 @@ func TestICMPCountsWithNeighborCache(t *testing.T) {
 		t.Fatalf("ep.Enable(): %s", err)
 	}
 
+	addressableEndpoint, ok := ep.(stack.AddressableEndpoint)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("expected network endpoint to implement stack.AddressableEndpoint")
+	}
 	addr := lladdr0.WithPrefix()
-	if ep, err := ep.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(addr, stack.CanBePrimaryEndpoint, stack.AddressConfigStatic, false /* deprecated */); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("ep.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(%s, CanBePrimaryEndpoint, AddressConfigStatic, false): %s", addr, err)
+	if ep, err := addressableEndpoint.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(addr, stack.CanBePrimaryEndpoint, stack.AddressConfigStatic, false /* deprecated */); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("addressableEndpoint.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(%s, CanBePrimaryEndpoint, AddressConfigStatic, false): %s", addr, err)
 	} else {
 		ep.DecRef()
 	}
@@ -1769,9 +1777,13 @@ func TestCallsToNeighborCache(t *testing.T) {
 				t.Fatalf("ep.Enable(): %s", err)
 			}
 
+			addressableEndpoint, ok := ep.(stack.AddressableEndpoint)
+			if !ok {
+				t.Fatalf("expected network endpoint to implement stack.AddressableEndpoint")
+			}
 			addr := lladdr0.WithPrefix()
-			if ep, err := ep.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(addr, stack.CanBePrimaryEndpoint, stack.AddressConfigStatic, false /* deprecated */); err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("ep.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(%s, CanBePrimaryEndpoint, AddressConfigStatic, false): %s", addr, err)
+			if ep, err := addressableEndpoint.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(addr, stack.CanBePrimaryEndpoint, stack.AddressConfigStatic, false /* deprecated */); err != nil {
+				t.Fatalf("addressableEndpoint.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(%s, CanBePrimaryEndpoint, AddressConfigStatic, false): %s", addr, err)
 			} else {
 				ep.DecRef()
 			}
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/ndp_test.go b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/ndp_test.go
index be83e9eb4..37e8b1083 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/ndp_test.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/network/ipv6/ndp_test.go
@@ -69,9 +69,13 @@ func setupStackAndEndpoint(t *testing.T, llladdr, rlladdr tcpip.Address, useNeig
 	}
 	t.Cleanup(ep.Close)
 
+	addressableEndpoint, ok := ep.(stack.AddressableEndpoint)
+	if !ok {
+		t.Fatalf("expected network endpoint to implement stack.AddressableEndpoint")
+	}
 	addr := llladdr.WithPrefix()
-	if addressEP, err := ep.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(addr, stack.CanBePrimaryEndpoint, stack.AddressConfigStatic, false /* deprecated */); err != nil {
-		t.Fatalf("ep.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(%s, CanBePrimaryEndpoint, AddressConfigStatic, false): %s", addr, err)
+	if addressEP, err := addressableEndpoint.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(addr, stack.CanBePrimaryEndpoint, stack.AddressConfigStatic, false /* deprecated */); err != nil {
+		t.Fatalf("addressableEndpoint.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(%s, CanBePrimaryEndpoint, AddressConfigStatic, false): %s", addr, err)
 	} else {
 		addressEP.DecRef()
 	}
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/sample/tun_tcp_echo/main.go b/pkg/tcpip/sample/tun_tcp_echo/main.go
index 8e0ee1cd7..1c2afd554 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/sample/tun_tcp_echo/main.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/sample/tun_tcp_echo/main.go
@@ -148,10 +148,6 @@ func main() {
 		log.Fatal(err)
 	}
 
-	if err := s.AddAddress(1, arp.ProtocolNumber, arp.ProtocolAddress); err != nil {
-		log.Fatal(err)
-	}
-
 	subnet, err := tcpip.NewSubnet(tcpip.Address(strings.Repeat("\x00", len(addr))), tcpip.AddressMask(strings.Repeat("\x00", len(addr))))
 	if err != nil {
 		log.Fatal(err)
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/stack/nic.go b/pkg/tcpip/stack/nic.go
index 12134238e..3e6ceff28 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/stack/nic.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/stack/nic.go
@@ -321,16 +321,21 @@ func (n *NIC) setSpoofing(enable bool) {
 // primaryAddress returns an address that can be used to communicate with
 // remoteAddr.
 func (n *NIC) primaryEndpoint(protocol tcpip.NetworkProtocolNumber, remoteAddr tcpip.Address) AssignableAddressEndpoint {
-	n.mu.RLock()
-	spoofing := n.mu.spoofing
-	n.mu.RUnlock()
-
 	ep, ok := n.networkEndpoints[protocol]
 	if !ok {
 		return nil
 	}
 
-	return ep.AcquireOutgoingPrimaryAddress(remoteAddr, spoofing)
+	addressableEndpoint, ok := ep.(AddressableEndpoint)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	n.mu.RLock()
+	spoofing := n.mu.spoofing
+	n.mu.RUnlock()
+
+	return addressableEndpoint.AcquireOutgoingPrimaryAddress(remoteAddr, spoofing)
 }
 
 type getAddressBehaviour int
@@ -389,11 +394,17 @@ func (n *NIC) getAddressOrCreateTemp(protocol tcpip.NetworkProtocolNumber, addre
 // getAddressOrCreateTempInner is like getAddressEpOrCreateTemp except a boolean
 // is passed to indicate whether or not we should generate temporary endpoints.
 func (n *NIC) getAddressOrCreateTempInner(protocol tcpip.NetworkProtocolNumber, address tcpip.Address, createTemp bool, peb PrimaryEndpointBehavior) AssignableAddressEndpoint {
-	if ep, ok := n.networkEndpoints[protocol]; ok {
-		return ep.AcquireAssignedAddress(address, createTemp, peb)
+	ep, ok := n.networkEndpoints[protocol]
+	if !ok {
+		return nil
 	}
 
-	return nil
+	addressableEndpoint, ok := ep.(AddressableEndpoint)
+	if !ok {
+		return nil
+	}
+
+	return addressableEndpoint.AcquireAssignedAddress(address, createTemp, peb)
 }
 
 // addAddress adds a new address to n, so that it starts accepting packets
@@ -404,7 +415,12 @@ func (n *NIC) addAddress(protocolAddress tcpip.ProtocolAddress, peb PrimaryEndpo
 		return tcpip.ErrUnknownProtocol
 	}
 
-	addressEndpoint, err := ep.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(protocolAddress.AddressWithPrefix, peb, AddressConfigStatic, false /* deprecated */)
+	addressableEndpoint, ok := ep.(AddressableEndpoint)
+	if !ok {
+		return tcpip.ErrNotSupported
+	}
+
+	addressEndpoint, err := addressableEndpoint.AddAndAcquirePermanentAddress(protocolAddress.AddressWithPrefix, peb, AddressConfigStatic, false /* deprecated */)
 	if err == nil {
 		// We have no need for the address endpoint.
 		addressEndpoint.DecRef()
@@ -417,7 +433,12 @@ func (n *NIC) addAddress(protocolAddress tcpip.ProtocolAddress, peb PrimaryEndpo
 func (n *NIC) allPermanentAddresses() []tcpip.ProtocolAddress {
 	var addrs []tcpip.ProtocolAddress
 	for p, ep := range n.networkEndpoints {
-		for _, a := range ep.PermanentAddresses() {
+		addressableEndpoint, ok := ep.(AddressableEndpoint)
+		if !ok {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		for _, a := range addressableEndpoint.PermanentAddresses() {
 			addrs = append(addrs, tcpip.ProtocolAddress{Protocol: p, AddressWithPrefix: a})
 		}
 	}
@@ -428,7 +449,12 @@ func (n *NIC) allPermanentAddresses() []tcpip.ProtocolAddress {
 func (n *NIC) primaryAddresses() []tcpip.ProtocolAddress {
 	var addrs []tcpip.ProtocolAddress
 	for p, ep := range n.networkEndpoints {
-		for _, a := range ep.PrimaryAddresses() {
+		addressableEndpoint, ok := ep.(AddressableEndpoint)
+		if !ok {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		for _, a := range addressableEndpoint.PrimaryAddresses() {
 			addrs = append(addrs, tcpip.ProtocolAddress{Protocol: p, AddressWithPrefix: a})
 		}
 	}
@@ -446,13 +472,23 @@ func (n *NIC) primaryAddress(proto tcpip.NetworkProtocolNumber) tcpip.AddressWit
 		return tcpip.AddressWithPrefix{}
 	}
 
-	return ep.MainAddress()
+	addressableEndpoint, ok := ep.(AddressableEndpoint)
+	if !ok {
+		return tcpip.AddressWithPrefix{}
+	}
+
+	return addressableEndpoint.MainAddress()
 }
 
 // removeAddress removes an address from n.
 func (n *NIC) removeAddress(addr tcpip.Address) *tcpip.Error {
 	for _, ep := range n.networkEndpoints {
-		if err := ep.RemovePermanentAddress(addr); err == tcpip.ErrBadLocalAddress {
+		addressableEndpoint, ok := ep.(AddressableEndpoint)
+		if !ok {
+			continue
+		}
+
+		if err := addressableEndpoint.RemovePermanentAddress(addr); err == tcpip.ErrBadLocalAddress {
 			continue
 		} else {
 			return err
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/stack/registration.go b/pkg/tcpip/stack/registration.go
index 79d024662..2cb13c6fa 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/stack/registration.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/stack/registration.go
@@ -524,8 +524,6 @@ type NetworkInterface interface {
 // NetworkEndpoint is the interface that needs to be implemented by endpoints
 // of network layer protocols (e.g., ipv4, ipv6).
 type NetworkEndpoint interface {
-	AddressableEndpoint
-
 	// Enable enables the endpoint.
 	//
 	// Must only be called when the stack is in a state that allows the endpoint
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/tests/integration/forward_test.go b/pkg/tcpip/tests/integration/forward_test.go
index bf7594268..39343b966 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/tests/integration/forward_test.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/tests/integration/forward_test.go
@@ -229,19 +229,6 @@ func TestForwarding(t *testing.T) {
 				t.Fatalf("routerStack.SetForwarding(%d): %s", ipv6.ProtocolNumber, err)
 			}
 
-			if err := host1Stack.AddAddress(host1NICID, arp.ProtocolNumber, arp.ProtocolAddress); err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("host1Stack.AddAddress(%d, %d, %s): %s", host1NICID, arp.ProtocolNumber, arp.ProtocolAddress, err)
-			}
-			if err := routerStack.AddAddress(routerNICID1, arp.ProtocolNumber, arp.ProtocolAddress); err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("routerStack.AddAddress(%d, %d, %s): %s", routerNICID1, arp.ProtocolNumber, arp.ProtocolAddress, err)
-			}
-			if err := routerStack.AddAddress(routerNICID2, arp.ProtocolNumber, arp.ProtocolAddress); err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("routerStack.AddAddress(%d, %d, %s): %s", routerNICID2, arp.ProtocolNumber, arp.ProtocolAddress, err)
-			}
-			if err := host2Stack.AddAddress(host2NICID, arp.ProtocolNumber, arp.ProtocolAddress); err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("host2Stack.AddAddress(%d, %d, %s): %s", host2NICID, arp.ProtocolNumber, arp.ProtocolAddress, err)
-			}
-
 			if err := host1Stack.AddProtocolAddress(host1NICID, host1IPv4Addr); err != nil {
 				t.Fatalf("host1Stack.AddProtocolAddress(%d, %#v): %s", host1NICID, host1IPv4Addr, err)
 			}
diff --git a/pkg/tcpip/tests/integration/link_resolution_test.go b/pkg/tcpip/tests/integration/link_resolution_test.go
index fe7c1bb3d..bf8a1241f 100644
--- a/pkg/tcpip/tests/integration/link_resolution_test.go
+++ b/pkg/tcpip/tests/integration/link_resolution_test.go
@@ -140,13 +140,6 @@ func TestPing(t *testing.T) {
 				t.Fatalf("host2Stack.CreateNIC(%d, _): %s", host2NICID, err)
 			}
 
-			if err := host1Stack.AddAddress(host1NICID, arp.ProtocolNumber, arp.ProtocolAddress); err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("host1Stack.AddAddress(%d, %d, %s): %s", host1NICID, arp.ProtocolNumber, arp.ProtocolAddress, err)
-			}
-			if err := host2Stack.AddAddress(host2NICID, arp.ProtocolNumber, arp.ProtocolAddress); err != nil {
-				t.Fatalf("host2Stack.AddAddress(%d, %d, %s): %s", host2NICID, arp.ProtocolNumber, arp.ProtocolAddress, err)
-			}
-
 			if err := host1Stack.AddProtocolAddress(host1NICID, ipv4Addr1); err != nil {
 				t.Fatalf("host1Stack.AddProtocolAddress(%d, %#v): %s", host1NICID, ipv4Addr1, err)
 			}