Xref: utzoo comp.arch:8082 comp.edu:2011 comp.misc:4862 Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!purdue!haven!aplcen!wb3ffv!tcsc3b2!pag From: pag@tcsc3b2.UUCP (Philip A. Gross) Newsgroups: comp.arch,comp.edu,comp.misc Subject: Re: built-in security features Summary: does it all really matter? Keywords: computer security, network security Message-ID: <424@tcsc3b2.UUCP> Date: 27 Jan 89 17:42:35 GMT References: <8846@nsc.nsc.com> <5995@polya.Stanford.EDU> <1804@maccs.McMaster.CA> <2373@PEDEV.Columbia.NCR.COM> Organization: The Computer Solution Co., Inc. of VA Lines: 39 In article <2373@PEDEV.Columbia.NCR.COM>, rogerson@PEDEV.Columbia.NCR.COM (rogerson) writes: > In article <1546@tank.uchicago.edu> kean@tank.uchicago.edu (Keane Arase) writes: > >In article <356@tcsc3b2.UUCP> pag@tcsc3b2.UUCP (Philip A. Gross) writes: > > > >>The AT&T 3B2 line of computers as well as the NCR Towers make use of a > >>what is generally called a firmware serial number that is kept on the > > Still, such protection schemes are stupid and do not help sales > of your computers any. > The big issue is, does it really matter if the software makes use of a hardware imbedded serial number. The software will operate smoothly and consistently so long as it is retained on the CPU it was installed on. The customer generally does not even need to know that their is any copy protection mechanisms in force. The customer can make all the backups of the software they need to, all without violation of the copyright protection because the software will not operate on any _other_ CPU once it has been installed. We generally do not inform the customer that there is any copy protection being used. However, we do STRONGLY advise them that they should contact us, along with their AT&T service personnel whenever they experience a hardware problem which may involve the exchange of the motherboard. Under such circumstances, their are simple procedures in place which will allow the software to be 're-installed' on a machine which has had the motherboard replaced. Generally if the customer has had to have the motherboard replaced in the computer, re-installation of licensed software is not a major concern. ===================================+=========================================== Philip A. Gross |INTERNET: pag%tcsc3b2@wb3ffv.ampr.org The Computer Solution Co., Inc. |USENET: ...!wb3ffv!tcsc3b2!pag 1009 Sycamore Square, P.O. Box 716 |UUCP: tcsc3b2!pag (804)794-1514 Midlothian, VA 23113-0716 |ATTMAIL: attmail!tcsc3b2!pag Voice: (804)794-3491 | The opinions expressed here are strictly mine and nobody elses. << I haven't heard what I have to say about that yet. >> :-)