Rconsole - the remote console utility for NetWare - has been available since NetWare 3 first shipped. But almost from the first day, its been considered a security problem. In fact, Novell publications advise that you "don't use RCONSOLE for remote access to the server console. If you must use RCONSOLE, encrypt the password and set the server and workstation to use packet signature option 3." (Novell ApNotes, June 2000, "NetWare Security: Closing the Door to Hackers). Rconsole password encryption is only available with NetWare 5, and is still subject to cracking (see www.nmrc.org/).
So how do you safely connect remotely to a server?
One solution is Adrem's Free Remote Console (FRC) 3.0, available at www.adremsoft.com/freecon/index.htm and it really is free. You get a lot more than you pay for.
FRC uses Novell Directory Services for authentication - not some password stored in a text file on the server. That alone makes it far superior to Rconsole, but there's more.
FRC uses a compression algorithm to speed up communications even over clogged WAN links. It can also be used without having to previously install or run something on the remote server (Rconsole doesn't work if the required modules weren't previously loaded on the sever) because FRC can install necessary modules (if needed) during the initial contact with the remote server. FRC also takes advantage of NetWare's NCP protocol (and its security) as well as Novell's Single SignOn solution.
And, it's free. What more do you need to know? Get it now!
RELATED LINKS
Dave Kearns is a writer and consultant in Silicon Valley. His most recent book is "Peter Norton's Complete Guide to Networks" published by SAMS. Dave's company, Virtual Quill, provides content services to network vendors: books, manuals, white papers, lectures and seminars, marketing, technical marketing and support documents. Virtual Quill provides "words to sell by..." Find out more at Virtual Quill or by e-mail at info@vquill.com
NetWare archive
Past newsletters.
Network World, 02/26/01
