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By Rick Millhollin (rickm@oregon.uoregon.edu)
Over the summer, the VMScluster's mail transport software was upgraded to PMDF v. 5.2, affecting both password and mail folder conventions. These changes are described below, with tips on how to avoid problems.
Since the upgrade, both IMAP (Internet Mail Access Protocol) and POP (Post Office Protocol) mail servers now enforce VMS password expiration. This means that whether you're using IMAP programs (e.g., Mulberry, Eudora Pro, Netscape Communicator, Outlook Express) or POP programs (e.g., Eudora), you won't be able to access your mail if your password has expired.
To set a new password under VMS, you have two choices:
1. Log into VMS via Telnet and follow the steps in the password change dialogue. (The password change will take effect immediately.)
2. Log into the AUTHORIZE system via Telnet and submit a password change request. (To use AUTHORIZE, you must know your BANNER ID/SSN and your six-digit PAC numbers, and there may be as much as a 15-minute delay before the password change takes effect.)
Once you have changed your password, set your mail program to recognize it. This procedure varies according to which mail program you use. The main thing to keep in mind is that if you instruct your mail program to save your password (so you won't have to type it in each time you try to access your mail), you must remember to reset it every 180 days, when it expires on VMS.
Password Problems? If you're still having password trouble, call 346-4403 for assistance.
Another new feature of the upgrade is that both IMAP and POP servers now enforce intrusion detection. This means that a VMS account is locked for a period of time following five failed login attempts. While this feature is designed to protect you, you could inadvertently lock yourself out of your mailbox if you type the wrong password five times in a row.
VMS mail folder conventions can be a bit tricky. While the new PMDF IMAP server supports hierarchical folders, we don't recommend using them because they can cause problems. It's also important to avoid using root folder paths (e.g., folder names with a "/" or "~" character in them).
If you're using an IMAP program such as Mulberry or Outlook Express and are experiencing problems accessing some of your mail folders, contact Microcomputer Services (346-4412, micro@oregon.uoregon.edu) for help.
The VMS upgrade has the added feature of protecting plain text passwords from detection as they are transmitted across the network by IMAP and POP clients, if the client supports it. Transport Layer Security (TLS) also secures the contents of email communications.
Outlook Express 5 and 2000 fully support TLS for IMAP, POP, and SMTP clients. Netscape Communicator 4.621 supports it for IMAP and SMTP but not for POP; and Eudora Lite and Eudora Pro do not support it at all. To configure your mail program for TLS's secure connections, set the mail client preferences to use SSL and the appropriate ports, e.g.,
IMAP: 993
POP: 995
SMTP: 465
Questions? Address questions about mail client setup to Microcomputer Services, micro@oregon.uoregon.edu
The new version of PMDF supports mailbox filters that can prevent delivery of unwanted mail messages. You can now construct and manage your own screening rules via your web browser. For more information on setting up a mailbox filter, see the PMDF User's Guide chapter online at http://oregon.uoregon.edu:7633/doc/user_vms/book_8.html#chapter_filter