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Date: Thu, 15 Jun 2000 05:38:19 -0600 (MDT)
From: Louis Bertrand <louis@cvs.openbsd.org>
To: lwn@lwn.net
Subject: OpenBSD 2.7 press release


OpenBSD: Secure by default.  http://www.openbsd.org/


P R E S S   R E L E A S E

Source: OpenBSD  http://www.OpenBSD.org/

June 15, 2000

Calgary, Canada -- OpenBSD announces release 2.7 of the
"Secure by Default" operating system for Internet servers
and workstations. OpenBSD 2.7 significantly enhances the 
built-in strong cryptography with the OpenSSH suite to
support the SSH 1 and 2 secure communication protocols
and drivers for hardware accelerators for IPSec VPNs.

"OpenBSD's principal goal of security and stability is
NETSEC's basis for using it as foundation of our managed
security solution," stated Todd Waskelis, NETSEC Vice
President.  "We've even funded the development efforts of
the hardware crypto support in OpenBSD 2.7, which allows
us to deliver high bandwidth VPN connections cost-effectively
to our clients, and as a bonus, anyone can do it themselves
since the code is free".

OpenBSD's cryptography has been further enhanced by encrypting
virtual memory swap space, and by more flexible ISAKMPD key
exchange and operating modes for IP Security networking. OpenBSD
completely avoids the US export controls on cryptography because
it is published in Canada with cryptographic software developed
entirely outside the USA. Support for SSH1 and HTTPS secure
protocols depends on the RSA public key algorithm patented in
the USA. Users worldwide may use the OpenSSL free library
while those in the USA must use the non-commercial
RSAREF library to abide by the patent.

"This is the last release where we have to worry about the
RSA patent since it expires on September 21", says project
leader Theo de Raadt. "RSA is the premier key exchange
algorithm and this patent has held a greater stranglehold on
cryptographic operations than any government policy".

OpenBSD's SSH support is done with the free OpenSSH suite
also developed by OpenBSD team members. The suite has been
ported to other systems and is rapidly gaining in popularity.

OpenBSD 2.7 improves support for high end system boards, SCSI
controllers, ethernet interfaces, and adds gigabit ethernet
drivers and IPv6 networking. There are over 500 pre-compiled
application packages ready to install, and most Linux binaries
run without recompiling thanks to the emulation system.

OpenBSD is free software, released under a Berkeley-style
open source license. It is developed by a team of Internet
volunteers, based on UC Berkeley's 4.4BSD-Lite. OpenBSD runs
on PCs, SPARC, Mac68K and other hardware. All development
is funded by donations and the sale of CD-ROMs and T-shirts.
Commercial support is available from third party contractors
and companies.

OpenBSD on the Web:
 http://www.OpenBSD.org/

What's new in OpenBSD 2.7:
 http://www.OpenBSD.org/27.html

About OpenSSH:
 http://www.OpenSSH.com/

What they say about OpenBSD:
 http://www.OpenBSD.org/press.html
 http://www.OpenBSD.org/testimonials.html

Commercial Support:
 http://www.OpenBSD.org/support.html


Press Contact:
 Louis Bertrand <louis@openbsd.org>
 Press relations
 Voice: (905) 623-1500
 Fax: (905) 623-3852
 Toronto, Canada

 Theo de Raadt <deraadt@openbsd.org>
 Project leader
 Calgary, Canada

Sales: 
 Canada/US/International:
 http://www.OpenBSD.org/orders.html
 The Computer Shop, Calgary, Canada
 Voice: (403) 243-4356 (Mon-Fri 9-5 Mountain time)
 Fax: (403) 243-2684

 Europe:
 kd85.com BVBA
 Wim Vandeputte
 Kasteeldreef 85
 9920 Lovendegem
 Belgium
 Email: orders@kd85.com
 Fax: +3292403439

About NETSEC
Founded in early 1998 in Herndon, VA, NETSEC (Network Security Technologies,
Inc.) is a leading national provider of network security services and Managed
Security Services (MSS), including 24x7 network monitoring services, network
security assessments, penetration testing, incident response, firewall and
VPN architecture.

 http://www.netsec.net/
 Contact:
 Joseph Nowland <joseph.nowland@netsec.net>
 VP, Sales & Marketing
 Voice: (703) 561.0420, ext 134
 Fax: (703) 561-0426

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