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DSNlink NE (No Encryption) Version 3.0 for OpenVMS

Readme First

December 22, 2000

Dear Customer,

This letter contains a brief description of DSNlink NE Version 3.0 for OpenVMStm. It also lists the DSNlink files and explains what to do after you copy the kit to your system.

These are the topics in this letter:

1.0 About DSNlink NE Version 3.0 for OpenVMS
2.0 Which Save Sets Do You Need?
3.0 Documentation File Names and Descriptions
4.0 After You Copy the Files

1 About DSNlink NE Version 3.0 for OpenVMS

DSNlink NE Version 3.0 for OpenVMS (where "NE" means no encryption), is a special kit for customers who cannot install DSNlink Version 3.0, which encrypts all communications. Although DSNlink NE Version 3.0 does not encrypt communications or contain encryption software, it does have all other new features and bug fixes that are in DSNlink Version 3.0.

Customers who want DSNlink Version 3.0, which encrypts communications, can order a copy on CD-ROM. Contact your local Compaq office to place the order. The part number for DSNlink Version 3.0 (with encryption) is as follows:

QA-6FRAA-H8 --- DSNlink Version 3.0 for OpenVMS

1.1 Improved Authentication

When either your system or the Compaq host initiates a connection, the systems first perform authentication. The goal of the process is for the customer and host systems to verify their identities to each other before establishing a communication connection. The systems must successfully authenticate themselves before messages are exchanged.

Authentication has been enhanced with the addition of stronger, hash-based message authentication code (HMAC) functions. During the authentication process, DSNlink Version 3.0 combines a message with your authentication key and processes the result with industry-standard secure hash functions to generate a hash-based message authentication code (HMAC) for the digital signature. The HMAC algorithm follows RFC 2104 guidelines.

The HMAC authentication methods in DSNlink Version 3.0 are:

The older MD5 authentication method, which produces a 128-bit signature, was used in earlier versions of DSNlink. Your DSNlink Version 3.0 system will use this method if the host system is running an earlier version of DSNlink. This method does not follow RFC 2104 guidelines and is not as secure as the HMAC methods mentioned above.

1.2 New Authentication Key

Previously, DSNlink used only MD5 to authenticate all connections. Both your system and the Compaq host had identical MD5 keys.

In DSNlink NE Version 3.0, a key that is compatible with the HMAC functions is required for authentication. It is a single key for the SHA1, RMD160, and SR160 authentication methods. It has this location and file name format:

DSN$KEYS:HMAC-DIGITAL-access_number

If you install DSNlink NE Version 3.0, on a system with an earlier version of DSNlink, the installation renames the existing MD5-DIGITAL-access_number keys to HMAC-DIGITAL-access_number. The contents of the MD5 key are not changed, just the file name.

If you install DSNlink NE Version 3.0, on a system without an earlier version of DSNlink, the installation prompts you for the authentication key. You can use the DSNlink authentication key from another of your DSNlink systems. If you have no previous versions of DSNlink, Compaq provides an authentication key for you to enter at the installation prompt for a key.

If new or existing customers request an authentication key, the HMAC key they receive is 16 characters longer than the MD5 keys. Customers are encouraged to request the key because it is harder for an adversary to break. For more information, contact Compaq.

2 Which Save Sets Do You Need?

Table 1 describes the DSNlink save sets.

Table 1 DSNlink Save Sets
VAX Save Sets Alpha Save Sets Description
DSNLINKNE030.A_DCX_VAXEXE DSNLINKNE030.A_DCX_AXPEXE Installation files
DSNLINKNE030.B_DCX_VAXEXE DSNLINKNE030.B_DCX_AXPEXE Files for both Alpha and VAX systems
DSNLINKNE030.C_DCX_VAXEXE DSNLINKNE030.C_DCX_AXPEXE VAX files
VAX Save Sets Alpha Save Sets Description
DSNLINKNE030.D_DCX_VAXEXE DSNLINKNE030.D_DCX_AXPEXE Alpha files
DSNLINKNE030.E_DCX_VAXEXE DSNLINKNE030.E_DCX_AXPEXE VMS Version 5.5-2 files
DSNLINKNE030.S_DCX_VAXEXE DSNLINKNE030.S_DCX_AXPEXE Documentation

Determine which save sets you need as follows:

For information on uncompressing the save sets, see Section 4.

3 Documentation File Names and Descriptions

Table 2 lists the documentation files for DSNlink Version 3.0 that are in the docs directory for the OpenVMS kits. Note that text and PostScript documentation files are included in the DSNLINKNE030.S_DCX_AXPEXE and DSNLINKNE030.S_DCX_VAXEXE save sets. Therefore, you do not have to copy the documentation files from the docs directory unless you want the HTML and/or PDF files that appear only in this :CD-ROM kit.

Table 2 File Names
File Name Description
DSNLINK030_IG.PDF
DSNLINK030_IG.TXT
DSNLINK030_IG.HTML 1
DSNlink V3.0 Installation Guide
DSNLINKNE030_README.PDF
DSNLINKNE030_README.TXT
DSNLINKNE030_README.HTML
This Readme letter
DSNLINK030_RN.PDF
DSNLINK030_RN.TXT
DSNLINK030_RN.HTML 2
DSNlink V3.0 Release Notes
DSNLINK030_PROD_DES.PDF
DSNLINK030_PROD_DES.TXT
DSNLINK030_PROD_DES.HTML
DSNlink V3.0 Service Tool Description
DSNLINK030_QRC_8X11.PDF
DSNLINK030_QRC_8X11.HTML
(8.5 x 11-inch paper)
DSNLINK030_QRC_A4.PDF
DSNLINK030_QRC_A4.HTML
(A4 paper size)
DSNlink V3.0 Quick Reference Card
DSNLINK030_USERS_GUIDE.PDF DSNlink V3.0 User's Guide for the Motif Interface


1The HTML version has muliple files with the format DSNLINK030_IG_*.HTML, where the * is a an identifier such as 001 or INDEX. Copy all the files that begin with DSNLINK030_IG.
2The HTML version has muliple files with the format DSNLINK030_RN_*.HTML,where the * is a an identifier such as 001 or CONTENTS. Copy all the files that begin with DSNLINK030_RN.

4 After You Copy the Files, Follow These Instructions

After you copy the compressed save sets to your OpenVMS system.

Thank you for using DSNlink. For further assistance, please contact your Customer Support Center.

DSNlink Program Office
Compaq Customer Support Center

_________

© 1989, 2000 Compaq Computer Corporation.

Compaq, VAX, VMS, and the Compaq logo Registered in U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. Alpha and OpenVMS are trademarks of Compaq Information Technologies Group, L.P. in the United States and other countries. All other product names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective companies.

Compaq shall not be liable for technical or editorial errors or omissions contained herein. The information in this document is subject to change without notice.