Network Managers Meeting Minutes

February 6th, 2003

Minutes recorded by Joe Dance – send corrections or comments to dancejoe@moore.sc.edu

Vicky Mathis opened the meeting, welcomed everyone to the first meeting of 2003 and thanked everyone for coming.

Helen Epting:

• New Horizons Training Center was awarded a state contract for training on computer applications
• Point of contact is Leila Grimball, telephone: 576.1211 for further information
• Cost is $42 - $75 per day.
• Network Managers are requested to provide information regarding IT positions:
• What are the titles for IT positions?
• What qualifications, certifications, degrees, training or experience are required for IT positions?
• Please respond to Helen Epting: hepting@sc.edu

Ronnie Wilkinson:

§ Reminded everyone to review the new security policy and submit comments by the end of the week.

§ Presented follow-up remarks regarding the Slammer worm:

• Be Careful of systems installed by vendors.
• Clarify responsibility for installation of patches and service packs.
• Be aware that products other than SQL Server may contain SQL Server or MSDE.
• Also presented charts and information regarding a current DoS attack, targeting a student PC in one of the dormitories.
• Dan Gallagher asked whether it was feasible to track down perpetrators of DoS and DDoS attacks, which led to a group discussion;
• The consensus appeared to be that tracking down the perpetrators would be difficult and time consuming, but not impossible.
• Success would be contingent on the cooperation of the ISPs involved.
• Ronnie thanked everyone for the all the support over the past year.

Voting for Vice Chair was conducted.

David Duncan, from the LAN/WAN group, presented a briefing on USC’s new VPN capability:

§ Clients for various operating systems can be downloaded from the “Tool Chest” area of the Security website, http://security.csd.sc.edu

§ Only IP will be supported – no IPX etc.

§ VPN authentication is accomplished via the NDS tree

§ A user needs a username and password, a group name, and the client software; “group name” relates to VPN groups, not NDS or network groups

§ USC has an unlimited license for the Cisco client software, so there is no cost to the departments or individuals.

§ It was noted that the new security policy would require that certain kinds of applications, such as remote administration, use a VPN, in order to protect the network.

§ In terms of policy, Secure Shell (SSH) will be accepted as an alternative.

§ Installation of the Cisco client was demonstrated; a wizard makes the installation fairly simple.

§ The VPN is now available for testing.

§ Email vpn@sc.edu to indicate interest.

§ A Microsoft client could be used in lieue of a Cisco client, but would have fewer features and less capability.

Vicky Mathis announced that Ken Sallenger was elected Vice Chair, and concluded the meeting.