I wanted to post an update on how my network routing and switching class is going. The class has 2 people in it now and I like the topics that we are working on. We are starting with a discussion and PowerPoint slides of the theoretical backbone of how the internet works. We meet 3 out of 7 days of the week, and we will be starting some hands-on labs in about two weeks. We had a 13-page reading over the weekend on an introduction to the IP suite of protocols. Soon, once we start working on the labs, we will get to physically set up the LANs and WANs and then telnet the routers in order to configure them. Sounds like fun.
Network Routing and Switching class
I just went back to school and am currently taking a Network Routing and Switching class. Here is the course description:
This course focuses on the major concepts of Network Routing and Switching. The course begins with discussions of how to build Local and Wide Area Networks. Discussions of the TCP/IP suite of data transport protocols as well as the RIP, OSPF, and BGP suite of Router and Layer 3 Switch protocols will form the basis of understanding of how traffic flows over LAN and WAN inter-networks. The hands-on lab exercises will consist of building LAN/WAN networks comprising Cisco Routers and Switches with Ethernet and T1 transport links. Concepts of redundancy, reliability, and serviceability will be highlighted. Laptops will be provided; however, students are encouraged to bring their own laptop PC’s for use in the network if they choose. The course focuses on mastering material necessary to take the Cisco Certified Networking Associate exam. Additional topics will be covered as time permits.
There are 3 students in the class. We have met for one class period, and we have a packet of reading on an intro to Internet Protocol (IP). The class got a bunch of Cisco routers and equipment, and we will be using them to build networks. I will post more later on how the class is going.
Creating a self-signed PKCS#12 (.p12) certificate using OpenSSL
This article describes how to create a self-signed PKCS#12 (.p12) certificate using OpenSSL, for use with AOL Instant Messenger and Microsoft Outlook.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Why use a certificate to encrypt your communications?
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An average email or instant message will pass through many servers and many miles of cables before it arrives at the intended recipient. It can be read, scanned, or modified anywhere along the way. The consistent use of SSL certificates will make it more difficult for data to be compromised, and will increase the integrity of electronic communications.
- Why make a self-signed certificate?
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The average consumer cannot afford to buy a SSL certificate from a recognized certification authority (CA), such as Verisign or Thawte. These can cost over $400 each year. This is because they are signed by the CA, and they verify personal identity and the integrity of the certificate. For no cost, anyone can create a self signed certificate by following the steps in this tutorial.
- Are self signed certificates less effective than purchased certificates?
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No, all certificates use the same standardized technology, and are therefore equally effective at encrypting data. Modern certificates use technologies called Secure Socket Layer (SSL) and Transport Layer Security (TLS). These certificates were created to protect and encrypt the connection between the sender and the recipient. They were not created to verify identity, which is what purchased certificates do.
- Why not use a publicly downloadable certificate?
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A digital certificate is basically a neatly packaged password protected file that contains a public key and a private key. The encryption algorithm allows a computer or software program to encrypt text using the public key portion that can only be decrypted by the matching private key pair. When secured communication is desired, the program shares the public key to the other party. The other party’’s application encrypts the information with the public key and it is decrypted with the private key. This concept is known as “Public Key Cryptography”.
If everyone on the internet uses the same public- private key pair (as with AIM Encrypt), then this is not secure. All the data that is encrypted using the free certificate can be easily decrypted by anyone, even those who are not the intended recipient. It gives users a false sense of security, which is worse than no security at all.
Software Needed
Certain files are needed to create a self signed certificate. The program that is used is called OpenSSL. OpenSSL is a free, open source toolkit implementing the Secure Sockets Layer and Transport Layer Security protocols as well as a full-strength general purpose cryptography library. Basically, it is an accumulation of files that can be used together to create SSL certificates. Because this is an open source program, there are many different sources for downloading this program. This tutorial uses the download links below, and these are the links that are tested to work. Read the rest of this entry »
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