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Frequently Asked Questions

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 2009 version of Bear Access includes new versions of selected services.

When will the new Bear Access be available?

The fall 2009 release of Bear Access can be downloaded from the Bear Access Software page starting on Tuesday, June 2, 2009.

What are the system requirements?

  • Windows XP-SP2 or higher
  • Macintosh OS X version 10.4 or higher

What changes have been made 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 retirement of Kerberos 4. After upgrading you may encounter separate password prompts for services requiring Kerberos 4 and services requiring Kerberos 5. (If you use a service requiring Kerberos 4 and then use a service requiring Kerberos 5, you'll receive two password prompts.)
  • Sidecar: Sidecar is no longer delivered as part of Bear Access.
    • Windows: Kerberos Viewer application replaced Sidecar as the Kerberos Ticket viewer and manager. If you're still running Sidecar, uninstall it.
    • Macintosh: Kerberos is included with OS X. Bear Access delivers a Cornell-specific configuration file and Kerberos Extras.

What changes have been made to the Bear Access Services?

  • Thunderbird Mail: Thunderbird 2.0.0.21 for Windows and Macintosh.
  • Eudora Mail: Thunderbird is the preferred email client. Eudora is not included in the Bear Access 2009 installer. It is available for download through uPortal.Cornell.
    • Windows: Eudora 6.2.1.2 remains the current version.
    • Macintosh: Eudora 6.2.3 remains the current version.
  • Cmail: Google Apps education edition for Cornell students. It is not included in the Bear Access installer, but is accessible from the uPortal.Cornell.
  • News Reader: Thunderbird is the standard news reader application. It will be upgraded to the latest release (see note above). Due to the phase out of Sidecar, a configuration change to turn on SSL connections will be needed.
  • File Transfer (FTP):
    • Windows: Filezilla will be updated to version 3.2.4.1. Note: Filezilla does not fully support file transfers to CornellC or CRNLMVS. If you need access to WS_FTP, it is available under Campus Hosts.
    • Macintosh: Fetch version 5.3 changes to version 5.5
  • Telnet/TN3270:
    • Windows: HostExplorer 2007 remains 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 host-initiated uploads and downloads. 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, use the appropriate choice in uPortal.
      • HostExplorer 6.2.0.11 and TCP3270 are installed in the C:\Program Files\Bear Access\Winba folder.
    • Macintosh: dataComet-Secure changes from version 10.1.0 to version 10.1.1.
  • Anti-Virus, Anti-Spyware, and Firewall:
    • Windows XP/Vista: Symantec Endpoint Protection remains the current antivirus choice. It is not possible to pre-configure Firewall rules for unmanaged clients in Symantec Endpoint Protection. Therefore, we will be deploying only the Anti-Virus component through Bear Access. Firewall components are not installed with Bear Access.
    • Macintosh: Norton AntiVirus remains version 11.0.