Port 25: The Open Source Community at Microsoft : Technical Analysis, Networking

Technical Analysis: Linux VPN & How-To

jcannon — Fri, 09 Mar 2007 19:08:00 GMT

In our continuing series of papers describing both the research undertaken by the Open Source Software Lab, and technical tips, here is the latest networking configuration technical analysis.

Abstract:
This document provides the reader with an analysis of VPN functionality within the Linux operating system. Specifically, it provides a breakdown of VPN components and a description of what is available to Linux Administrators, in terms of manageability and functionality. It also provides a set of HOW-TO’s in the area’s of VPN and IPsec.

Networking Roles Analysis Part Two: FreeRADIUS

MichaelF — Thu, 14 Sep 2006 15:45:00 GMT

In addition to technical tips, blogs and video interviews, the Open Source Software Lab at Microsoft conducts a number of technical analysis and research projects throughout the year to help inform and solve key interoperability challenges between Microsoft and open source technologies. This paper is part two of three. The first paper in this series discussing DHCP can be found here.

Abstract:

This paper is an evaluation and teardown of the GNU GPL-licensed FreeRADIUS software (http://www.freeradius.org/). This document includes a detailed analysis of the features that are supported by the server as well as an analysis of the configuration, management and overall usability of the system.

Much of the analysis was done on a RedHat Enterprise Linux version 4 (RHEL4) system using the vendor-supplied FreeRADIUS package, which at the time of writing is version 1.0.1. The latest package from the project website is version 1.1.0, which was also analyzed for additional features.

Download the Networking Roles Analysis-Free RADIUS paper (.PDF, 396k)

Technical Lab Analysis: ISC DHCP

jcannon — Wed, 26 Jul 2006 03:37:00 GMT

In addition to technical tips, blogs and video interviews, the Open Source Software Lab at Microsoft conducts a number of technical analysis and research projects throughout the year to help inform and solve key interoperability challenges between Microsoft and open source technologies. Since our launch, we've been working on a number of projects, the first of which we would like to share today.

Abstract:
The Open Source Software Lab at Microsoft is a key advocate within Microsoft for interoperability with Open Source technologies. In order to drive discussions and engineering plans around interoperability, we need to initially build a core knowledge base in the particular technology which we can share with product and field teams.

This paper is the first in a four part series on Linux networking technologies: DHCP, IPSEC/VPN, RADIUS, and DNS.

The capabilities of a leading Open Source DHCP software package, ISC DHCP Server, are the focus of this document. The analysis concentrates on the manageability aspects of the ISC DHCP server and provides an overview from the point of view of the Open Source Software Lab, where the DHCP Server was installed, configured and tested. The intent of the document is to pass on the hands on experience gained from the installation, configuration and testing experience.

Download the Networking Roles Analysis Paper: ISC DHCP (PDF, 556KB)