<html>
<body>
Date: Thursday, 4 November 2004<br>
To: MIT Community: itpartners@mit.edu, winpartners@mit.edu,
macpartners@mit.edu, sw-release-announce@mit.edu<br>
From: VPN Client Release Team <vpn-release@mit.edu><br>
Subject: VPN Release effort underway<br>
Cc: is&t@mit.edu, vpn-release@mit.edu<br><br>
<br>
In July, MIT deployed a Virtual Private Network (VPN) service to assist
MIT clients with connectivity from off campus. The VPN provides a
solution to work through the various port blocks and other limitations
implemented by most Internet Service Providers (ISPs) to protect their
customers and try to prevent spam, virus outbreaks, and other network
abuse. These preventative measures can often impede legitimate computing
work (e.g., connection problems, email). The MIT VPN can resolve problems
associated with e-mail, Windows file sharing, and other network-based
applications without needing to determine the particular preventative
measures your ISP has implemented.<br><br>
The VPN provides a secure connection along with a way for clients to have
a consistent set of policies for their Internet connectivity regardless
of connection location.<br><br>
A release effort is currently underway for an updated VPN client for the
Windows, Macintosh and Linux platforms. Enhanced documentation is
being developed for each platform.<br><br>
New features and improvements<br>
-------------------------------------------------<br>
- a customized installer that bundles the MIT profile (for
connecting to MITNet)<br>
- solves various e-mail, file sharing and other network problems
for clients connecting from off campus <br>
- utilizes Kerberos authentication, so no separate VPN password
needed<br><br>
For more information on VPN, please visit
<a href="http://web.mit.edu/ist/services/network/vpn.html">http://web.mit.edu/ist/services/network/vpn.html</a><br><br>
The VPN Release Team will send updates throughout the process. For more
information on the VPN and the release effort, see the VPN release
notebook:
<a href="http://web.mit.edu/swrt/releases/vpn/" eudora="autourl">http://web.mit.edu/swrt/releases/vpn/</a>.<br><br>
If you have questions, suggestions, or would like to participate in the
release of VPN please contact the team via email at vpn-release@mit.edu.
<br><br>
Deb Bowser for Jon Hunt<br>
QA Coordinator - Client Support Services<br>
Information Services and Technology (IS&T)<br>
Massachusetts Institute of Technology<br>
Room W92-176<br>
Cambridge, MA 02139<br>
617-253-3879<br>
bowser@mit.edu </body>
</html>