Border Authentication
This enables you to access Internet resources other than web. For example, you might need to remotely sign into a computer at another University or run software that uses a non-web protocol to access an Internet server.
Border Authentication FAQ
Q1. What is Border Authentication and why are we using it?
A1. All UOW web users are required to authenticate to a "web proxy" before being granted access to external web sites. This allows the university to attribute web usage to individuals. Whilst the web-proxy covers the needs of the majority of users at the university, some internet services fall outside the management of the UOW web-proxy.
For this reason, a secondary authentication system is required known as border-authentication. This involves users who want to use "non-proxy" services going to a web page, and entering their username and password. This allows the user to utilise non-proxy internet services for a limited period of time.
As a result of this change, the university is able to more accurately apportion and charge for internet traffic. Further, many viruses and worms are thwarted because access to external hosts is denied without the user authenticating.
Q2. How will this impact the lab environment? If one student authenticates to the border on a lab machine and then leaves, will the next person be attributing traffic to the first person?
A2. No lab on campus has access to external non-proxy services. For this reason, the border-authentication will not have an impact in the lab environment - there are no services that the lab machines could run that would require border authentication.
Q3. Is border authentication IP-based or user-based?
A3. It is based on IP address.
Q4. Can you "logoff" border authentication?
A4. Yes, you can logoff by visiting the Border Authentication Form and selecting the close option, then re-entering your username and password. You must do this from the same workstation you signed on from.
Q5. With the implementation of border authentication, can some of the port-blocking rules be relaxed?
A5. The port-blocking rules will remain in place for numerous reasons (including the active discouragement of software and music/video piracy), however if there is a specific business need for a port to be opened, this will be considered.
Q6. Will an active connection be dropped once the 3 hour limit has expired?
A6. No - active connections will remain open. Only new connections will fail until the machine is re-authenticated to the border.
|
