jbn@wdl1.UUCP (John B. Nagle) (06/26/84)
One key turns on all PDP11s and VAXen. Sorry, no security that way.
jso@edison.UUCP (07/01/84)
Not only is the same key distributed with all PDPs, VAXen, (even PDP-8s!),
but any round key will work: a friend of mine uses the key of his
bicycle lock, and I've seen red plastic keys that say "d|i|g|i|t|a|l"
on them, and have no notches at all.
John Owens
...!{ {duke mcnc}!ncsu!uvacs houxm brl-bmd scgvaxd }!edison!jsodave@uwvax.ARPA (07/03/84)
I think your facts are a bit off here (using a bike key on
*any* DEC equipment). All the larger systems use the standard
DEC barrel key. The 730, though, will open with anything.
This is what that red plastic key was made for. If DEC has
changed all of its systems to use the plastic key, we haven't
gotten any of these in yet, and we got some new 750's only
a few weeks ago and they took the regular key.
--
Dave Cohrs @ wisconsin
...!{allegra,heurikon,ihnp4,seismo,sfwin,ucbvax,uwm-evax}!uwvax!dave
dave@wisc-rsch.arpageoff@callan.UUCP (07/06/84)
The systems we build here at Callan are also controlled with a keyswitch, and they, too, use the same key for all units. Disregarding this, the keyswitch *does* provide some security (if you are interested in details, mail me). However, as has been pointed out previously, anyone with physical access to the system can get around the keyswitch. On our machine, for example, you could simply take off the covers and short out the appropriate poles of the switch. Assuming that what you are interested in is stealing data, you could also simply remove the four 5-1/4" Winchesters and walk away with them, later hooking them onto your own machine as add-on units, and read them that way. So why did we put the keyswitch on there? Because most people won't go to that much trouble. The keyswitch will stop the casual intruder. A non-casual one can't be stopped by the computer manufacturer; the only real solution is good control of physical access to the machine. -- Geoff Kuenning Callan Data Systems ...!ihnp4!wlbr!callan!geoff
zellich@ALMSA-1.ARPA@sri-unix.UUCP (07/22/84)
From: Rich Zellich <zellich@ALMSA-1.ARPA> I still don't know why anyone would want to \use/ a keyswitch on a terminal, workstation, or computer and I've never seen any of ours turned off, much less have the key removed from the lock, but as to why a manufacturer would \provide/ a key lock that's simple: too many false-security-minded people insist on having them and you can't sell a box that doesn't have one if the invitation to bid (or whatever) calls for it. We spent a small fortune having a bunch of our older terminals retro-fitted because somebody who was appointed to a security position, but didn't understand security, insisted the DoD and Army regulations mandated key locks (they don't; it's just one of many things you \may/ do to provide physical security according to the applicable reg's).