An updated version of Bear Access is being prepared for release to the Cornell community. Bear Access updates are released in June so that computers on campus can be upgraded in time for the fall semester.

The 2008 update includes new versions of selected Bear Access services, an update to the Kerberos libraries on Windows and the retirement of the SALSA infrastructure.

Release Dates and System Requirements

The new release can be downloaded from the Bear Access Software page starting on Tuesday, June 10, 2008.

The fall 2008 release of Bear Access requires Mac OS X version 10.4 or higher or Windows XP-SP2 or higher.

Changes in the Bear Access Infrastructure

• Kerberos: (Windows)
  Kerberos will be upgraded to Kerberos for Windows Version 3 (KFW3.x)  This version of the Kerberos libraries will position us for the eventual retirement of Kerberos 4.  As a result of this change users may encounter a password prompt for services requiring Kerberos 4 and a separate prompt for services requiring Kerberos 5.  (If you use a service requiring a Kerberos 4 ticket, and then use a service requiring a Kerberos 5 ticket, you'll receive two password prompts.)
   
• Sidecar
  The current plan is to phase out Kerberos 4 during Fall 2008.  Since Sidecar relies on Kerberos 4 for support, it will no longer be delivered as part of Bear Access.
  • Mac OS X:  Kerberos is included with OS X,  Leopard does not include support for Kerberos 4 therefore Sidecar will no longer function.
  • Windows: In place of using Sidecar as the Kerberos Ticket viewer and manager,  we will offer a new Kerberos Viewer application.
     
• Runway/Salsa Phase-out
  As announced last year the SALSA server will be turned off at the end of June. Since SALSA also relies on Kerberos 4 and parts of the old Kerberos infrastructure, it is unclear if it will continue to work following the installation of the new Kerberos infrastructure.   Users are encouraged to switch to using uPortal and BASIL during Spring 2008.  For additional details regarding SALSA Phase Out click here.
  

Changes in the Bear Access Package of Services

• Thunderbird Mail
  Thunderbird 2.0.0.14 for Mac and Windows will be distributed.
   
• Eudora Mail:
  This will be the third year of using Thunderbird as our preferred Email client. Eudora will not be included in the Bear Access 2008 installer this year. It will be available for download through uPortal.Cornell. 
  • Mac: Eudora 6.2.3 will remain the current version.
  • Windows: Eudora 6.2.1.2 will remain the current version.
• News Reader:
  Thunderbird will be upgraded to the latest release (see note above) and will continue as the standard news reader application.  Due to the phase out of Sidecar, a configuration change to turn on SSL connections will be needed.
   
  
• File Transfer (FTP):
  
  • Mac: Fetch version 5.3 (for Mac OS X 10.4+)
  • Windows: Filezilla will be updated to version 3.0.6
    • Filezilla does not fully support file transfers with CornellC or CRNLMVS.  If you are an administrator who uses CornellC or CRNLMVS and needs access to WS_FTP, it will be available under Campus Hosts.
  • Users may continue to use their browser to download FTP content.
     
• Telnet/TN3270:
  • Mac: dataComet-Secure version 10.1.0 with SSL support.
  • Windows: HostExplorer 2007 (will remain the current version)
    • Note for administrative staff using CornellC: Versions of HostExplorer after 6.2.0.11 offer additional connection options, but do not support the host-initiated uploads and downloads used by some users of CornellC.  HostExplorer 2007 and HostExplorer 6 cannot co-exist on the same machine, so you should install only one version.
    • If you are required to use either TCP3270 or HostExplorer 6.2.0.11 to connect to CornellC you will need to use the appropriate choice in the Bear Access channel on uPortal.Cornell.
    • HostExplorer 6.2.0.11 and TCP3270 will continue to be installed in the C:\Program Files\Bear Access\Winba folder structure.
       
• Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, and Firewall:
  
  • Windows XP/Vista: Symantec Endpoint Protection will replace Symantec Client Security. Unlike previous versions of Symantec Client Security, it is not possible to pre-configure Firewall rules for unmanaged clients. Therefore, we will be deploying the Anti-Virus component through Bear Access. If you want the Firewall components, you will be able to download it from the Symantec Downloads page.
    The AntiVirus component will be configured to perform a daily LiveUpdate randomly between 10am and 2pm. 
  • Mac: Norton AntiVirus will be upgraded to Version 11.0 .
    

Upcoming changes in Bear Access

Since Bear Access no longer has a mechanism to automatically update services and the infrastructure, you will need to click on the links to download and run the installers if you wish to use the latest versions of the software accessible through Bear Access via uPortal.Cornell.

What does this mean to me?

• If you are a new Bear Access user or have previously installed Bear Access 2007
  Launch your Web browser, open http://uPortal.Cornell.edu, and then click the Bear Access tab.  Scroll down to the Installers->Infrastructure folder and click the link to download and run the Bear Access 2008 Infrastructure installer.  This installs the infrastructure software necessary for BASIL and the Kerberos libraries mentioned above.
  
  
• If you are currently running Bear Access 2006
  • SALSA services have been frozen since last Spring which means you are no longer receiving updates to applications or the infrastructure.  Therefore, you will also need to follow the steps above for new users and existing Bear Access 2007 users.
  • Reminder: The SALSA server is scheduled to be turned off on June 30th.