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Conference pamsrc::objectbroker

Title:ObjectBroker - BEA Systems' CORBA
Notice:See note 3 for kits; note 5 for training; note 1134 for releases
Moderator:TLE::PARODId
Created:Tue Jul 11 1989
Last Modified:Thu Jun 05 1997
Last Successful Update:Fri Jun 06 1997
Number of topics:1413
Total number of notes:6391

1372.0. "questions arround DCE Based Security" by EMNTAL::STADELMANN (Sepp @ZUO 760-2609) Tue Feb 18 1997 07:30

    I am about to answer questions to a security project in the area of
    SWIFT, SECOM share settlement and SIC SYStems. 
    can you help me on some of the following questions by today lunchtime
    (your time).
    
    a) On what platforms is ObjectBroker available, in particular on what
    platforms are the security services availabl.
    
    ++> platform availability is known to me; 
    for security: we have only Digital UNIX and Windows NT ! (is this correct?)
    has anything changed recently (i.e. is ?
    what is with OpenVMS ? 
    
    OpenVMs provides OSF DCE SW as well ?  
    Why is OpenVMS not supported yet ?  
    
    (at least I did not read about DCE-Based Security for ObjectBroker on
    OpenVMS). even in the OpenVMS SPD we talk about DCE Based Security for
    Digital UNIX and Windows NT.
    
    when is Windows 95 supported ?
    
    b) How strong is the security provided by the security package?
       Is it subject to US export restrictions? Algorithms. key length etc.
    
    Here I need your help !
    
    f) How are the security services used from a programming point of view?
     ++> transparent via the ObjectBroker API.
    
    ... how is a security context established ? 
    ++> using dce_login
    
    ... and how are successive function calls referenced to a particular
    security context ?
    ++> transparent via ObjectBroker API 
    
    h) is the GSS-API security part of DCE available seperately ?
    ++> here I need your advise.
    
    Todays Server run on OpenVMS, and theire Clients run on Windows 3.11
    and Windows 95. Today they come in using X.25 public Networks (TELEPAC)
    using TCP/IP based applications. Telnet for interactive login, FDP for
    File Transfer and LDP for Printing.
    
    Theire issue is: we would like to improve the security of this system,
    in particular we would like to introduce a strong authentication scheme
    between the client and the server. Thge questions we have:
    
    a. What would you propose, would DCE be suitable?
    ++> YES
    b. Does DEC TCP/IP support Secure Telnet (Kerberos)?
    ++> Here I need your advise.
    
    Thanks for any help
    
    Sepp,
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1372.1SEND::SLAVINWed Feb 19 1997 14:1324
Here are some answers:
    
>    a) On what platforms is ObjectBroker available, in particular on what
>    platforms are the security services availabl.

In OBB V2.7 DCE security is tested by Digital on NT and Digital Unix. 
Other GSSAPI security implementation may work. GSSAPI interfaces are 
provided on all OBB systems in V2.7. We have not tested them on these 
platforms.
   
>    b) How strong is the security provided by the security package?
>       Is it subject to US export restrictions? Algorithms. key length etc.

OBB is not export restricted. GSSAPI implementations such as DCE are 
optional layered products. They are export restricted. The GSSAPI or
DCE product is a separate purchase from ObjectBroker.    
    
>    h) is the GSS-API security part of DCE available seperately ?

OBB V2.7 includes GSSAPI and DCE security features. These features are 
integrated into specific version of OBB and are not separate from OBB. 
The DCE or GSSAPI layered products are separate and are optional from
OBB's point of view. If you do not need DCE or GSSAPI security, then
you do not need to buy the products than implement them. 
1372.2what to order if Authentication is an issue?EMNTAL::STADELMANNSepp @ZUO 760-2609Thu Feb 20 1997 08:25112
    Thank you very much, ( >= 1000 times :-) Mary Ann for this good
    explanations.
    
    I do currentyl study the ObjectBroker Documentation Supplement and
    others notes. However, in absent of some pictures and diagrams
    explaining the pices and bits and minimal requirements and design
    entities I have more questions.
    
    Assuming I have the following networked systems all running TCP/IP
    
    The following are all said to be Client Computers
    100 PC Windows 3.11
    100 PC Windows NT 4.0 Workstation
    100 PC Windows 95
    100 WS Digital Unix
    100 WS Digital OpenVMS Sattelites (25 per Server Cluster)
    
    The following are all said to be Server Computers
      2 PC Windows NT 4.0 Server
      2 SV Digital Unix
      4 Clusters each 4 SV Digital OpenVMS (Acting as Boot Members 
                                            to the 100 OpenVMS WS)
    
    My goal is it to install on all Server Systems ObjectBroker
    Implementation Servers and my goal is it further that each
    Implementation Server requests Authentication based on DCE-Kerberos
    Authentication.
    
    Also my Goal is it to order, learn, install, setup, maintain as less as
    possible any other SW then ObjectBroker. Basically I do not want to
    maintain an NT, a DCE and an ObjectBroker Domain, so keep it as simple
    as possible.
    
    I want 4 Servers (2 Digital Unix, 2 Windows NT Server and 2OpenVMS) 
    to play the role of DCE Security Servers.
    
    a) What do I have to order on DCE Products to make OBB Authentication
    based on DCE Kerberos Authentication work on all Systems given above?
    
    b) What do I need for each Client System to enable a dce_login ?
    
    c) Do I have to install first on all sytems DCE SW Kit components and
    bring them into an operational Secure DCE Domain before I can goon and
    install ObjectBroker and enable on each system DCE based Authentication 
    
    if yes: what DCE components do I have to install for each client to
    make authentication of OBB work.
    
    if yes: what DCE components do I have to install on Servers 
    Microsoft Windows NT Server, 
    Digital UNIX and 
    Digital OpenVMS
    
    OR
    
    d) are Client DCE security Components provided with ObjectBroker 2.7
    Kit sufficently to a degree which allows to put this Clients after OBB
    2.7 is installed, into a DCE Domain and allow them for the dce_login to
    work. 
    
    OR
    
    e) do I have to order and install DCE Client SW first in order to
    perform a dce_login and then go and install ObjectBroker.
    
    What are the rules of thumb? 
    
    Note: I want to install as less SW as possible other then ObjectBroker;
    also Customers shall not arg, that the overhead on SW, maintenance and
    learning is too big, if an operational DCE Domain has to be installed,
    and learned first just to get DCE Kerberos based Authentication work
    with Objectbroker. Also they shall not arg that the have to maintain to
    Middleware Networks. 
    
    (this is not critic, it is just for my understanding, Authentication
    and Security both have it's price)
    
    e) Can I install the DCE Security Server on any Server Platform (not
    only on Digital UNIX or Windows NT) for which a OSF DCE product is
    available and have on all Cleint Systems using ObjectBroker [and DCE
    Client SW], Authentication enabled?
    
    in other words, I can have as few/many DCE security Primary/Backup
    Servers as I want. OBB Authentication is shilded (decoupled)
    sufficently from Clients to have them not take notice about that, and
    all OBB 2.7 equipped Systems are capable to enable Authentication by
    DCE Kerberos Security Servers, and are able to establish theire
    Authentication Security Context.
    
    What I think would be best, to have the OBB sales and learning tool
    help on such subject matters; also have them to assist in planing the
    absolut required minimal DCE installation and setup. Also have them
    give a hint in which order this stuff should be installed, setup and
    put into operation.
    
    Also for my understanding from your answers, 
    
    DCE Security based on Kerberos (or as it ships when a Europeanee is
    ordering the OSF DCE Kit for Digital UNIX and Windows NT) IS NOT
    subject to U.S. Export Restrictions for Authentication but is Subject
    to U.S. Export Restrictions for Message (Data Package) Encryption. 
    
    Also the precises question from the customer was
    
    1. How long is the key used for authentication 
    (how strong is Authentication) 
    
    2. What algorithms are in used for Authentication ?
    
    Sepp,
    
    
1372.3RECV::SLAVINThu Feb 20 1997 12:3166
Some answers:
    
>    a) What do I have to order on DCE Products to make OBB Authentication
>    based on DCE Kerberos Authentication work on all Systems given above?

You need to pick a single provider of GSSAPI security that works on 
ALL of your desired platforms. It must provide clients and servers 
where you need them. ObjectBroker does not federate between 
different GSSAPI security providers. 
    
>    b) What do I need for each Client System to enable a dce_login ?

What ever the GSSAPI security provider says you need. 
    
>    c) Do I have to install first on all sytems DCE SW Kit components and
>    bring them into an operational Secure DCE Domain before I can goon and
>    install ObjectBroker and enable on each system DCE based Authentication 
>    
>    if yes: what DCE components do I have to install for each client to
>    make authentication of OBB work.
>    
>    if yes: what DCE components do I have to install on Servers 
>    Microsoft Windows NT Server, 
>    Digital UNIX and 
>    Digital OpenVMS

Again see your GSSAPI provider's installation. I think you need to
have the GSSAPI product installed prior to OBB installation. You also
need to follow the OBB administration rules for setting up a security
provider for GSSAPI. 
    
    
>    d) are Client DCE security Components provided with ObjectBroker 2.7
>    Kit sufficently to a degree which allows to put this Clients after OBB
>    2.7 is installed, into a DCE Domain and allow them for the dce_login to
>    work. 

No we provide NO DCE components. You must purchase DCE or some GSSAPI 
provider separately.
    
    
>    e) do I have to order and install DCE Client SW first in order to
>    perform a dce_login and then go and install ObjectBroker.

Yes. We provide no DCE or GSSAPI secuirty implementation, only the 
hooks to it.
    
>    Note: I want to install as less SW as possible other then ObjectBroker;
>    also Customers shall not arg, that the overhead on SW, maintenance and
>    learning is too big, if an operational DCE Domain has to be installed,
>    and learned first just to get DCE Kerberos based Authentication work
>    with Objectbroker. Also they shall not arg that the have to maintain to
>    Middleware Networks. 

You must install the GSSAPI provider as described by its own 
installation and you must be able to administer it's domain, as well 
as ObjectBroker and any operating system domains such as NT.

>    e) Can I install the DCE Security Server on any Server Platform (not
>    only on Digital UNIX or Windows NT) for which a OSF DCE product is
>    available and have on all Cleint Systems using ObjectBroker [and DCE
>    Client SW], Authentication enabled?

You need GSSAPI product on all platforms from which OBB will use it.
    
1372.4more help required.EMNTAL::STADELMANNSepp @ZUO 760-2609Thu Feb 20 1997 16:1623
    Thanks Mary Ann
    
    Who can be a bit more concret or lead me to a practical example. 
    "GSSAPI security provider" is too abstract. What is it? What does it
    propose to order given my system szenario in .-2.
    
    I have to propose to a customer, asking me what he has to order on SW
    required to make DCE based Authenication work for OBB, from Digital.
    
    I am interessed to know the minimal parts on DCE I have to order from
    DEC to make my szenario work. Also If it does not work using DEC SW,
    (missing SW to satisfy my szenario) what do you propose then ? Which
    vendow such Gradient or CyberSafe can make my environemt work. i.e.
    SyberSafe does not provie for Windows 95 and not for OpenVMS WS/SV,
    also only NT 3.5 is mentioned but notr NT 4.0 and not Digital UNIX.
    
    The szenario I mentioned IS an example of OUR INSTALLED BASE CUSTOMERS.
    
    Unfortunately It does not mach with Syber Safe and probabbly not with
    what DEC can provide. So is there an chance to setup this environment
    and make it work.
    
    Sepp,
1372.5SEND::SLAVINThu Feb 20 1997 19:176
A GSSAPI security provider is some product like DCE from some vendor,
or Cybersafe, or other product that implements to the OSF GSSAPI
standard. We have been working with Cybersafe, and have not been able
to get it working with ObjectBroker yet. We are working with their
Beta code, so what we have is not on the market yet. I do not know if
any vendor has security that matches your platform requirements. 
1372.6LEMAN::DONALDSONFroggisattva! Froggisattva!Mon Feb 24 1997 05:409
Sepp, 

another source of info would be Jean-Paul Gaschen who I know
installed and demonstrated OBB+DCE Security for Swiss PTT.

(He had a tough time, by the way, and if you know
J-P that will tell you something!).

John D.
1372.7no details yet ?EMNTAL::STADELMANNSepp @ZUO 760-2609Mon Feb 24 1997 07:0224
    John,
    
    Meanwhile, with the same hope, I had several discussions with Jean-Paul
    Gaschen. Most he could tell me was that Telecom had setup already an
    OSF DCE from Gradient before. Unfortunately at this did not work with
    the 2.6 OBB, and as Telecom was unwilling to wait for 2.7 OBB, they
    ordered an OSF DCE kit from Digital for Digital UNIX and Windows NT. JP
    could not say what GSSAPI security provider components Telecom had
    installed as a minimum; so I am back at the gussing level (until I
    start to setup my own OSF DCE Domain first (lots of planning and work))
    or until I go and ask Telecom as my primary support contact / backup; as
    it seams to be impossible to get a clear answer from OBB folks for
    this subject matters. (Also the OBB SPD does not give some details now
    and I am about to propose to a customer what they would have to order).
    
    All I want to now is:
    
    What are the minimal componets to be installed from the Digital OSF DCE
    kit to use OBB and DCE based Authentication, given I have a networked
    platform scenario as stated in my previous note.
    
    Sepp,
    
    
1372.8RECV::SLAVINMon Feb 24 1997 13:177
>    What are the minimal componets to be installed from the Digital OSF DCE
>    kit to use OBB and DCE based Authentication, given I have a networked
>    platform scenario as stated in my previous note.
    
Th SPD tells you what version of OSF DCE to order. Order that and 
install it.     

1372.9DCE components required for OBB AuthenticationEMNTAL::STADELMANNSepp @ZUO 760-2609Tue Feb 25 1997 07:1544
    Thank you Mary Ann,

    meanwhile I found a partner explaining what I need, here the extract.

    If a DCE Cell is not setup .... then 

    Setup a DCE Cell, install on at least one Server Node the following 
    a) DCE Security Server
    b) DCE Cell Directory Server
    c) DCE Run Time Service

    install on each Client Node
    c) DCE Run Time Service

    DCE Run Time Service brings you threads, RPC, CDS-Advertiser, Security
    Client, BTW: this is the minimum one needs for Authentication 

    You can start with ObjectBroker first and then install DCE, or you
    install ObjectBroker into an existing DCE environment and setup and
    activate then DCE based Authentication for ObjectBroker.

    the following Digital OSF DCE products are available per SPD's
    Digital OSF DCE 2.0.a for Digital UNIX
    Digital OSF DCE 1.1.c for Microsoft Windows NT
    Digital OSF DCE 1.0   for Microsoft Windows 95
    Digital OSF DCE 1.4   for Digital Open VMS AXP & VAX

    based on OSF DCE standard 1.0.3

    each kit above provides a GSSAPI, but only UNIX and Windows NT was
    tested, an is supported by ObjectBroker Engineering.

    Digital OSF DCE products interoperate to a much better degree then our
    current ORB's. i.e. with Gradient: one can have a DCE Security Master
    Server installed on a IBM and run its Security Server Replicand Digital
    UNIX. This was verified and works.

    If other vendors DCE Security Client provide a GSSAPI interface it is
    to be tested that ObjectBroker Authentication will work.

    (anything wrong with that ?)

    Sepp, 
    
1372.10RECV::SLAVINTue Feb 25 1997 12:106
>    If other vendors DCE Security Client provide a GSSAPI interface it is
>    to be tested that ObjectBroker Authentication will work.

I am not sure if this is a question as to if ObjectBroker is planning 
to do this testing with other DCE Security clients. The answer is NO
ObjectBroker is planning to do such testing at this time.
1372.11how to conduct GSSAPI verificationEMNTAL::STADELMANNSepp @ZUO 760-2609Tue Feb 25 1997 13:2310
    To be precise: 
    
    If an third party vendors DCE Security Client provides a GSSAPI then
    this is subject to be verification and testing. The question is: will
    ObjectBroker Engineering do it? As I understand .-1 the answer is NO.
    
    In this case it would be nice if the field gets an idea from OBB
    Engineering about how to conduct such a verification and test. 
    
    Sepp,