[Info-vax] Any stronger versions of the LMF planned ?, was: Re: LMF Licence Generator Code

[Bill Gunshannon]

On 8/7/21 10:17 PM, Dave Froble wrote:
> On 8/7/2021 7:35 PM, Simon Clubley wrote:
>> On 2021-08-07, Dave Froble <davef at tsoft-inc.com> wrote:
>>>
>>> It has occurred to me that VSI should have the opportunity to know who
>>> is using x86 VMS.  From the beginning, they implement some sort of
>>> reporting scheme.  For VMS to run, it has to check in with VSI.  There
>>> may be situations where such is not feasible, but, that can also be 
>>> handled.
>>>
>>
>> SOD THAT !!!!!
> 
> I didn't say it would be a good idea, it was just something I thought 
> of.  Something like that would have been much harder (or impossible) in 
> the 1970s and 1980s.  But today, the concept of always knowing who is 
> running VMS might be interesting.
> 
> Perhaps it would require all VSI employees to have a top secret clearance.
> 
> :-)

Having a security clearance does not automatically grant you access
to classified information.

> 
>> That raises all kinds of security and denial of service issues.
> 
> Perhaps, and perhaps there would be solutions.

Yes, and one of those solutions would be to  move off of VMS.  :-)

> 
>> People could be persuaded to allow this for a one-time licence
>> activation process but there's no way that many people are going
>> to allow that on an ongoing basis as part of the boot process and
>> then stop the boot if the check in with VSI fails.
> 
> Maybe it would not stop booting and running?

If it doesn't do something what would be the point?

> 
>> What happens if you have external communications down ?
> 
> Phone call?  Oh, wait, phones are "communications".
> 
>> What happens if VSI have system availability issues ?
> 
> Phone call?

If all they have is 5 customers, that might work.

> 
>> What happens if VSI goes bust ?
> 
> Seems like we already got that ...
> 
> 
> Instead of complaining, why don't you think of possible solutions. Don't 
> bring me problems, bring me solutions.
> 

The two sides of this discussion have opposing needs and desires.  A 
satisfactory solution could be more difficult than you think.

bill